Determinants of electrical energy generation from renewable energy sources: The case of Turkey

The electrical energy needed in all areas of life is procured by using of a high rate of fossil sources in all over the world, including our country. This study focuses on the factors that are affecting the use of renewable sources, as the renewable sources that are clean and sustainable in electricity generation are used at a low level compared to fossil sources. In this study; the renewable energy sources are defined, the factors affecting the use of these sources in electrical energy generation was examined and the status of renewable sources in electricity generation in Turkey and the world was evaluated. Vector Error Correction Model for Turkey was estimated through using annual data between 1990- 2017, with help of the time series analysis. Through applying the necessary tests, the strength effect was investigated based on gross domestic product per capita, electricity consumption per capita, energy dependence, oil prices, electricity generation from fossil sources and energy intensity variables on electricity generation from renewable sources. As a result, both long and short-term relations were determined between the variables. It was concluded that all of the variables affect electricity generation from renewable sources; the electricity generation from renewable sources affects gross domestic product per capita, electricity consumption per capita and energy dependence to. The result obtained were determined to be statistically significant in the expected direction. Keywords: Renewable energy sources 1, Electrical energy 2, Turkey 3, Time series analysis 4, Vector error correction model 5