ISTANBUL, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye and Saudi Arabia on Friday signed agreements to build solar power plants with a total investment of 2 billion U.S. dollars in central and southern Türkiye.
Signed in Istanbul in the presence of Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, the agreements pave the way for solar power projects with a total installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts in the Sivas province and the Taseli area of Karaman.
Speaking to reporters, Bayraktar said the solar projects would generate enough electricity to meet the needs of 2.1 million households. He added that at least 50 percent of the materials and equipment for both plants would be sourced locally.
The minister said construction would begin later this year, with both plants scheduled to commence commercial operations in early 2028 and reach full capacity as soon as possible thereafter.
"In the second phase of the agreement, an additional 3,000-megawatt investment in solar and wind power plants is planned, bringing the total capacity under the deal to 5,000 megawatts," he added.
According to the minister, Türkiye has increased its installed capacity in solar and wind to over 40,000 megawatts and aims to raise it to 120,000 megawatts by 2035. ■
