Turkey has moved a step closer to launching its first large-scale offshore wind programme, publishing draft rules for a 1GW auction that will grant investors a 49-year right to develop and operate a project in one of four candidate sea areas, according to Splash247.
Draft Auction Details
The so-called YEKA OWPP‑2026 draft specification, now out for public consultation, sets a price band of $0.07-$0.11 per kWh. According to Splash247, if more than one bidder meets the $0.07-per-kWh floor, the contest will continue based on additional contribution payments to the state.
The tender will award a licence from one of four candidate sea areas: Saros Bay, Gökçeada, Bozcaada, or off Edremit.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Auction size | 1 GW |
| Licence duration | 49 years |
| Price band | $0.07 – $0.11 per kWh |
| Domestic content requirement | 25% of total investment value |
| Penalty for content shortfall | $5 million per percentage point |
| Bank guarantee at application | $50 million |
| Bank guarantee after signing | $250 million |
Financial Structure and Incentives
The winning developer will take on full responsibility for wind measurement campaigns, seabed surveys, technical studies, permitting, construction and operations. Wind measurements must start within one year of contract signing and run for at least 12 months, while seabed investigations must begin within two years. Developers will have up to 36 months for the pre-licence period and a further 36 months to build once licensed, as reported by Splash247.
The draft allows the project to be abandoned if measured performance undermines the project’s economics, including when the capacity factor falls below 40% in the first four years.
To spur early delivery, projects that achieve initial commissioning within seven years can receive $0.12 per kWh for the first phase of operation, before tariffs are recalculated based on actual capacity factor over a four‑year period.
A 25% domestic content requirement, measured against total investment value, is built into the scheme and is backed by penalties of $5 million for each percentage-point shortfall. Additional revenue is available for the use of Turkish-made blades, generators, and gearboxes.
Bidders will be required to post a $50 million bank guarantee at the application stage, rising to $250 million once the contract is signed, a structure expected to draw major international players. Foreign winners will need to establish a local company in Turkey.
Industrial and Economic Implications
“The first step to be taken in offshore wind energy signifies a strategic transformation that will create a broad economic ecosystem, from towers to marine structures, from ports to ship services,” said İbrahim Erden, president of the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB), according to Splash247.
TÜREB vice president Ufuk Yaman said the framework’s bankability will be critical, citing World Bank scenarios in which 7 GW of offshore wind by 2040 could bring $16 billion to the economy and 110,000 jobs. He argued the sector should be viewed “not only from an energy investment perspective, but also from an industrial, employment, and export perspective”, with the first projects potentially online around 2030.
Timeline and Requirements
Developers must adhere to strict timelines: wind measurements within one year (lasting 12 months), seabed surveys within two years, pre-licence period up to 36 months, and construction within 36 months after licensing. The draft rules are currently out for public consultation. The winning bidder will be responsible for all technical studies, permitting, construction, and operations.
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