How can Turkey's energy policies focus on local and renewable resources?

Two major steps are expected from Turkey's energy administration this year: A well-designed coal policy and a detailed renewable energy scheme. Energy officials have repeatedly voiced signals about these policies by emphasizing the importance of creating a robust approach based on more local and renewable resources. How this is to be achieved will play a significant role in maintaining a truly sustainable energy roadmap. 

Energy Minister Berat Albayrak recently said Turkey's installed power will be increased gradually, by mainly focusing on more local and renewable energy resources. 

"We will never make concessions against environmental and worker safety sensibilities in coal production. Filtration systems in coal-fired power plants are of great importance and we will place an emphasis on limiting emissions to the lowest levels possible," Albayrak said, also noting that Turkey's installed power from renewable energy resources will be increased to over 45,000 megawatts (MW) by the end of 2019. 

According to the government's plans, 90 coal-fired power plant projects are underway with the aim of adding 18,500 MW installed power capacity by 2023. 

The diversification of Turkey's energy resources is crucial for economic growth and development, as it cannot continue with its current model (which is over-dependent on foreign resources). However, the roadmap must be designated very carefully, as current policies are far from creating sustainable outcomes. 

First of all, insisting on coal resources represents a huge problem at a time when many countries, including China, have developed policies to halt the use of this kind of resource in order to decrease their emissions.

Turkey has promised to decrease its CO2 emissions...