Number of Consumers in the Electricity Distribution Sector Approaches 51 Million

Category: ELECTRICAL ENERGY , ENERGY AGENDA - Date: July 19, 2025

The Electricity Distribution Services Association (Elder), the umbrella organization of 21 distribution companies operating throughout Turkey, has published the 2024 "Electricity Distribution Sector Report," which includes numerous data such as the total investment amount made nationwide, electricity consumption and production figures, as well as transformers, line lengths, and the number of subscribers.

Elder Secretary General Fakir Hüseyin Erdoğan, in his assessment in the foreword of the report, said, “ We now define the energy transformation as the ‘electric age.’ This transformation is being felt more deeply every day in every aspect of life, from industry to agriculture, from buildings to the transportation sector. Electricity becoming the primary form of energy consumption imposes new responsibilities on distribution companies, as electricity distribution networks are the backbone of this transformation. The rapid spread of electrification is increasing electricity demand with artificial intelligence, data centers, electric vehicles, and heat pumps. Distributed generation, energy storage, and microgrids are simultaneously transforming consumers into producers. The effects of the climate crisis necessitate more resilient and flexible networks. In this process, distribution companies need to transform into system operators. Annual distribution investments of 55-67 billion euros are expected in Europe. According to the IEA, global grid investments should reach 700 billion dollars by 2030. In Turkey, grid investments, which are approximately 2 billion dollars annually, need to be increased. The IEA also noted that short-term flexibility capacity in major electricity markets worldwide "It is imperative that this more than double by 2030. This situation once again demonstrates that investments in green and digital transformation cannot be delayed. We need smart, digital, flexible, and sustainable grids for more renewable energy and high-quality supply. This is not just a technical matter; it is also a strategic imperative for economic competitiveness and climate policies. A strong future in the electric age can only be built with the right steps today," he said.

PRIORITY IN INVESTMENTS TO NETWORKS

In 2024, electricity distribution companies across Turkey made a total investment of 52 billion 465 million Turkish Lira, based on approved unit prices. Of these investments, 40 billion 972 million Turkish Lira was used for network investments, 3 billion Turkish Lira for network operating systems, 7.6 billion Turkish Lira for legal obligation investments, 822 million Turkish Lira for other investment expenditures, and 37.9 million Turkish Lira for expanding R&D projects.

The highest regional investment was made by Meram EDAŞ with 5 billion 77 million TL, followed by Dicle EDAŞ with 4.5 billion TL and Toroslar EDAŞ with 4.2 billion TL.

RECORD IN ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION WITH 279 TWH

According to the report, by the end of 2024, total electricity consumption by consumers connected to both distribution and transmission reached a record high of 279.04 terawatt-hours (TWh). Of this amount, 207.3 TWh came from distribution and 71.74 TWh from transmission. The highest consumption occurred in the Toroslar EDAŞ region with 36.9 TWh, and the lowest in the Van Lake EDAŞ region with 2.65 TWh.

The industrial sector had the largest share in consumption distribution:

-Industry: 113.95 TWh (40.84 percent)

-Residential: 75.09 TWh (26.91 percent)

-Public and private service sector + other: 71.86 TWh (25.75 percent)

-Agricultural irrigation: 12.41 TWh (4.45 percent)

Lighting: 5.73 TWh (2.05 percent)

Compared to 2023, there was an increase of approximately 5.76 percent in total electricity consumption.

INCREASE IN ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION

Total licensed electricity generation, which includes the generation of free production companies, EÜAŞ, transfer of operating rights, and build-operate-transfer power plants, increased by 4.9 percent last year compared to the previous year, reaching 326,843 GWh. Looking at the distribution of licensed electricity generation by resources, the decline in the share of natural gas power plants continued. While 21.9 percent of licensed electricity generation was met by natural gas power plants in 2023, this ratio decreased to 19.9 percent in 2024. During this period, the share of imported coal decreased from 23.3 percent to 23.1 percent, the share of domestic coal decreased from 15.1 percent to 14.5 percent, and the share of geothermal decreased from 3.6 percent to 3.4 percent. The share of hydroelectricity increased from 20.5 percent to 22.9 percent, while the share of wind increased from 10.9 percent to 11.2 percent.

Published by: Alperen ERTAŞ- [email protected]