By Anadolu Agency
May 13, 2026 4:24 pmExpectations are high for Türkiye’s presidency of the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), with a strong focus on advancing decisions to expand renewable energy capacity and improve energy efficiency, WindEurope CEO said on Wednesday.
“We have high expectations from Türkiye’s COP31 presidency, especially regarding the expansion of renewable energy capacity,” WindEurope CEO Tinne Van der Straeten told Anadolu on the sidelines of the 15th Turkish Wind Energy Congress (TUREK) in Ankara.
Countries at COP28 in Dubai committed to tripling global renewable energy capacity and doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030, while the phased transition away from fossil fuels remains on the global agenda, Van der Straeten said.
“Now is the time to assess the decisions taken in Dubai and think about how to implement them,” she added.
Van der Straeten said that her expectation from COP31 is a strong focus on electrification so that “renewable energy can truly drive the climate agenda.”
“Türkiye has a strong agenda. The country already has significant onshore wind capacity and can truly demonstrate what renewable energy development means,” she noted.
– Grid modernization essential for renewables
Van der Straeten also highlighted the need to strengthen grid infrastructure alongside renewable energy investments, noting that Europe needs to increase grid expansion investments by around fivefold.
“Even in Europe alone, we need five times more investment in grid expansion,” she said, noting that she attended the event alongside Hitachi Energy, a WindEurope member with significant expertise in grid deployment.
“Grids are indeed the missing link and absolutely necessary to deliver renewable energy to households, industries and businesses,” she added.
Accelerating investments in renewable-based energy systems, including grid infrastructure, could save the European economy up to €1.6 trillion, she said.
“At the same time, artificial intelligence is increasing electricity demand. That is why rapid electrification is critically important,” Van der Straeten stated.
– Renewables key to long-term energy security
She also said recent geopolitical tensions have demonstrated the vulnerabilities created by dependence on fossil fuel imports.
“With the crisis involving Iran, we have seen how fragile dependence on fossil fuel imports can be. This is why we must make large-scale renewable energy investments to ensure we have enough electricity to meet additional demand driven by artificial intelligence,” she said.
“Many economies are still dependent on fossil fuels. War has shown us how vulnerable these systems are,” she said and added that renewable energy is “absolutely” a complete solution for long-term energy security.
“There is only one future, and that is an energy policy based on renewable energy. Because the sun and wind cannot be blocked or held hostage. The only energy that can truly make us feel secure is renewable energy,” she added.
Van der Straeten described Türkiye’s progress in renewable energy as “a great example.”
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