According to Birol, President of the International Energy Agency, nuclear energy is "indispensable" for Türkiye.

(IEA) President Birol, who was in Milan, Italy, to attend the Gastech 2025 Forum, answered questions from an AA correspondent.

Recalling that Türkiye's role in the global energy equation has always been important, Birol said that Türkiye's importance has increased even further following recent geopolitical developments.

Birol stated, "Türkiye's presence in the region alongside many oil and natural gas producers, and the fact that Turkey has taken and will take significant infrastructure steps with them, has strengthened Türkiye's position as a major supplier. The steps we have taken in natural gas, the steps we have taken and will take in renewable energy, and hopefully the steps we will take in nuclear energy, will further strengthen Türkiye's position."

Birol, noting that Türkiye imports a large portion of the oil and natural gas it uses, said, "Turkey has also taken steps to produce its own oil and natural gas. I hope these steps will strengthen, leading to a significant decrease in the amount of natural gas and oil Türkiye will import from global markets. This will be beneficial for both the country's energy security and its economy."

IEA President Birol stated that Türkiye's electricity use is increasing rapidly and will continue to do so, noting that this is a sign that Türkiye is modernizing, its economy is growing, and the country is urbanizing.

Fatih Birol stated that how Türkiye will meet its increasing electricity demand is a significant question mark, and noted the following:

We have a lot of renewable energy, and we can use it even more, but as I've always said, I believe nuclear energy is an essential technology for Turkey. Currently, work is underway on a nuclear power plant. However, I believe it's crucial for Türkiye to diversify with other countries to build new nuclear power plants, both conventional nuclear power plants and small (nuclear) modular reactors. This will increase Türkiye's energy independence and its influence in the region and the world.

AA