Investigating EU-Turkey renewable cooperation opportunities: a SWOT analysis
International Journal of Energy Sector Management
ISSN: 1750-6220
Article publication date: 5 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore Turkey’s current energy status with a on renewable energy sources (RES) cooperation mechanisms, within the framework of RES Directive 2009/28/EC. The study uses the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis for drawing results about perspectives of RES cooperation between Turkey and European Union (EU) Member States. In particular, the SWOT analysis provides a clearer view of expanding RES in Turkey, as well as the level of utilization and potential of cooperation mechanisms and renewable energy in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach followed incorporates desktop analysis, stakeholders’ mapping and involvement, key factors’ identification and results analysis and validation. The adopted approach is based on research conducted within the context of the “Bringing Europe and Third countries closer together through renewable Energies (BETTER)” (project number: IEE/11/845/SI2.616378) project, co-financed by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme.
Findings
Based on the SWOT analysis conducted for Turkey, there are huge opportunities for RES deployment and cooperation in the country, because of its large unexploited RES potential. Turkey is a country with strategic importance, e.g. regarding energy security. Substantial savings can occur for the EU28 Member States through this cooperation, whereas Turkey will also benefit through income and investments, as well as technology transfers and further synergies associated with the cooperation. For the above potentials to be reached, nevertheless, national policies for RES development would have to be strengthened substantially, and non-economic barriers mitigated.
Originality/value
The potential of Turkey to utilise cooperation mechanisms provides opportunities for RES exporting between the country and EU countries. An analysis of these opportunities for cooperation will allow drawing clearer conclusions on cooperation potentials and business cases for Turkey.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The current paper was primarily based on the research conducted within the framework of the project “Bringing Europe and Third countries closer together through renewable Energies (BETTER)” (project number: IEE/11/845/SI2.616378), supported by the Intelligent Energy Europe programme. The authors wish to thank the valuable suggestions and comments made by other BETTER consortium partners, whose contribution, helpful remarks and fruitful observations were invaluable for the development of this work. The content of the paper is the sole responsibility of its authors and does not necessary reflect the views of the EC.
Citation
Karakosta, C., Papapostolou, A., Dede, P., Marinakis, V. and Psarras, J. (2016), "Investigating EU-Turkey renewable cooperation opportunities: a SWOT analysis", International Journal of Energy Sector Management, Vol. 10 No. 3, pp. 337-362. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJESM-04-2015-0011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited