Akfen Yenilenebilir Enerji (Akfen Renewable Energy)
To reach its 2053 net zero target, Türkiye has invested significantly in renewable energy and is now focusing on battery storage systems. At the forefront of these developments is Akfen Yenilenebilir Enerji (Akfen Renewable Energy), one of the country’s largest energy companies. To bring two of the first commercial-scale solar-plus-storage plants to market in Türkiye, Akfen engaged Arup as an expert advisor to help navigate this emerging technology in an evolving regulatory environment.
Acting as Owner’s Engineer, Arup provided technical advice throughout both projects, drawing on international expertise to ensure best practice from concept through early operations. To date, we have supported Akfen with pre-design and tendering, and will review the detailed design, followed by overseeing construction and performance monitoring for the first two years of operations.
Battery storage is critical for ensuring grid stability, particularly as renewable sources now generate over half of Türkiye's electricity. When operational, the Van and Gelinkaya plants are expected to power over 52,000 and 20,000 homes, respectively. By adhering to international standards from the outset, the projects will help set a benchmark for future solar PV and battery storage plants both nationally and internationally.
Two solar power plants, one trusted advisor
Arup’s experts worked alongside Akfen as one team across the Van and Gelinkaya plants, located in Eastern Anatolia, providing continuous advisory support both online and in person. This included close, frequent engagement during the detail-heavy tender preparation stage to ensure responsive, hands-on support. While Akfen’s internal team holds deep experience operating and tendering for wind, solar and hydroelectric plants, our experts bring specialised design and construction knowledge.
Having developed the pre-design, technical and performance specifications, as well as tender documentation for both plants, we are advising Akfen on the selection of the suitable Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor. Next, Arup’s experts will review the detailed design and oversee the construction phase of each project, acting as Akfen’s on-site representative daily.
International BESS expertise bolsters local knowledge
As battery storage and solar energy (BESS) technology is developing across the renewables landscape, Akfen sought a partner with a proven international track record in battery storage and solar energy (BESS) developments.
Drawing on our energy specialists from across the UK, Germany, South Africa, and Australia, Arup brings global design and site experience, particularly in BESS. Our Istanbul-based project management team complements this with strong local insight, understanding regulatory requirements and energy market dynamics to apply that expertise effectively.
This knowledge-sharing will continue through project delivery, with Arup’s specialists conducting site visits during commissioning and testing the battery systems; this will ultimately help build BESS capability further both within Akfen and the EPC contractor’s team.
Navigating a fast-evolving regulatory environment
Battery storage regulation in Türkiye is developing rapidly, with key aspects requiring further clarification.
Arup worked closely with Türkiye’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA), the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and network operators, to address regulatory uncertainties. These insights were translated directly into robust tender specifications, enabling Akfen to progress each project to tender with clarity and confidence.
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