Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has published draft specifications for offshore wind site allocation and grid connection capacity under the YEKA OWPP-2026 programme. The proposed auction covers a total of 1,000 MW of connection capacity, allocated under a 49-year framework.
The process is structured as a reverse auction, with up to five lowest bidders advancing to the final stage. The electricity price is capped between 11.00 US cents/kWh and 7.00 US cents/kWh. If two or more bidders reach the floor price, the auction continues through a contribution fee mechanism, with a minimum contribution of USD 10 million.
The contract price is based on a 43% capacity factor, with adjustments applied if actual performance is lower. For each percentage point below 43%, the purchase price increases by 2.5%, down to a 40% threshold. Early commissioning within seven years triggers a temporary purchase price of 12.00 US cents/kWh for that period. The electricity purchase term is 27 years under the YEKDEM support scheme.
A domestic content requirement of 25% of total capital expenditure applies. Non-compliance is subject to a penalty of USD 5 million per percentage point shortfall. Additional price incentives of up to 1.40 US cents/kWh are available for the first five years if locally certified components are used, including blades, towers, generators, foundations and subsea cables. A third-party firm will oversee domestic content reporting.
Bidders must submit a USD 50 million bid bond, while the winning bidder must provide a USD 200 million guarantee before contract signing, valid for ten years.
Following contract award, developers must submit a work programme within 30 days and begin meteorological and oceanographic measurements within one year, continuing for at least 12 months. Geophysical and geotechnical surveys must start within two years. If measured capacity factors fall below 40%, the developer may request contract termination within the first four years. Capacity reductions of up to 50% may also be requested following seabed investigations.
The maximum pre-licence period is 36 months, with construction required to be completed within 36 months of licence issuance. A 12-month extension may be granted subject to penalties. Turbines must comply with IEC 61400-1, IEC 61400-3 and IEC 61400-22 standards and carry CE marking. Only wind energy is permitted for electricity generation under the scheme.
The Ministry reserves the right to postpone, suspend or cancel the auction at any stage prior to contract signing without providing justification.
