Türkiye and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on energy transition, the Turkish Energy Ministry announced. The agreement was finalised during Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar’s visit to China, where he met with officials including Zhang Jianhua, director of China’s National Energy Administration, and representatives of Chinese energy firms.
“With the MoU, we aim to implement concrete projects as soon as possible,” Bayraktar posted on social media platform X.
Discussions covered potential cooperation in nuclear and renewable energy, forming a basis for new collaborations. Bayraktar also met with Chinese Natural Resources Minister Wang Guanghua, agreeing to enhance cooperation in natural resources, mining, critical minerals, and rare earth elements.
In Beijing, Bayraktar engaged with executives from Chinese energy companies like TCC, CNOS, and CATL. He evaluated both conventional and small modular reactors for Türkiye with CNOS and discussed investment models for a battery storage factory with CATL.
During an interview with CGTN, Bayraktar emphasised Ankara’s strategy to reduce energy import dependency and mitigate climate change through cooperation with China in mining, nuclear, and renewable energy. He highlighted China’s global leadership in renewable resources, nuclear reactors, and critical minerals, stating, “We need to utilize our renewable resources, add nuclear into our energy mix, and use gas as a transition fuel.”
Bayraktar expressed optimism about finalising a nuclear energy deal, noting, “If we work tirelessly, we hope to finalize this inter-governmental agreement in a few months.” He underscored the importance of Chinese investment in Türkiye’s renewable energy projects, citing the strong supply chain and expertise of Chinese companies in photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.
