AgreementsData
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Sign 5GW Renewable Energy Partnership at COP31
The memorandum of understanding was announced during the climate conference in Antalya on November 10.
Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed a memorandum of understanding for renewable energy projects in the electricity sector on November 10, 2026. The agreement was announced during the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Antalya, which runs from November 9 to November 20. The partnership targets 5GW of renewable energy capacity in Türkiye.
Partnership Announced During Ministerial Meeting#
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman in Antalya on November 10. Prince Abdulaziz arrived in Türkiye to attend COP31. The Turkish energy minister announced the memorandum during the meeting, describing it as part of energy cooperation between the two countries. The agreement covers projects in the electricity sector.
COP31 Electrification Target Under Discussion#
Türkiye has proposed that the 200 countries attending COP31 commit to increasing electricity's share of global energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035, up from approximately 20 percent currently. The proposed pledge measures progress by the percentage of final energy demand supplied by electricity. It does not specify generation sources or require absolute reductions in fossil fuel consumption. Portugal has called for the target to be linked explicitly to clean electricity.
Energy Security and Bilateral Cooperation#
The Saudi-Türkiye memorandum advances electricity sector development between the two countries. Coal supplied approximately one-third of Türkiye's electricity in 2025. The 5GW renewable energy partnership was signed within the framework of existing energy cooperation. The agreement was announced on the same day Turkish President Erdogan disclosed the discovery of two oilfields in the Gabar region containing an estimated 135 million barrels of oil in place, with production expected to exceed 100,000 barrels per day in the second half of 2027.
Conference Timeline and Participation#
COP31 began in Antalya on November 9 and will conclude on November 20, 2026. Australia is chairing the negotiations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged governments on November 10 to establish clear timelines for moving away from fossil fuels. The proposed electrification pledge remains under discussion, with support among participating countries uncertain. The Saudi-Türkiye memorandum was signed on the sidelines of the conference.
Sources3 sources across 3 domains
- saudigazette.com.saSaudi GazetteMeeting between Erdogan and Prince Abdulaziz on November 10, 2026, and announcement of memorandum of understanding on electricity sector projects
- oilprice.comOilPrice.comTürkiye's proposal for 35% electricity share by 2035, COP31 dates, coal's share of Turkish electricity, and Gabar oilfield discovery details
- forbesmiddleeast.comForbes Middle East5GW capacity target of the Saudi-Türkiye renewable energy partnership
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