The Regulation Amending the Regulation on Unlicensed Electricity Generation in the Electricity Market, prepared by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority, was published in Official Gazette number 33212 on 2 April 2026, entering effect on the same date. With the amendments, significant regulations have been introduced regarding application and connection processes, netting mechanisms, rules on association with consumption facilities, data reporting obligations, and sanction mechanisms. Certain provisions will enter into force on 1 May 2026.
Definitions and scope
- The definitions of “relevant grid operator”, “netting”, and “relevant period” have been revised, and the definition of “industrial zone” has been added to the Regulation.The composition of the commission for OSB or EB distribution licence holders has been revised: the commission shall now consist of the OSB or EB director, one expert from the regional distribution company, and one expert from the OSB or EB.
Establishment of generation facilities
- It has been made possible to establish more than one generation facility based on renewable energy sources for the same consumption facility, if they are subject to the same support mechanism.
- The establishment of more than one cogeneration facility at the same metering point has been regulated.
- It has been stipulated that only one micro-cogeneration facility may be established for each consumption facility.
Application processes
- A restriction has been introduced on submitting a new application to the same location by the same person before the evaluation of an application is completed.
- It has been regulated that applications to be made following withdrawal from an application shall not be considered duplicate applications.
- It has been stipulated that applications shall be evaluated based on the connection point. The scope of the technical assessment process has been extended to cover applications based on geothermal and biomass energy sources, in addition to wind and solar energy.
Connection processes and infrastructure
- It has been made possible to establish a connection through distribution assets to be installed by the applicant.
- Procedures and principles regarding connection through transformer substations have been regulated.
- It has been regulated that connection applications cannot be made to distribution facilities for which provisional acceptance has not been completed.
Installed capacity limit
- For generation facilities entitled to receive a connection agreement call letter as of 12 May 2019, it has been regulated that the mechanical installed capacity cannot exceed twice the electrical installed capacity, except for facilities based on wind energy.
Investment period and acceptance procedures
- It has been regulated that, upon expiry of the relevant period, the connection agreement and the allocated capacity shall automatically become void; the references to the technical interaction permit and the water use rights permit becoming void have been removed from this provision.
- It has been regulated that the allocated capacity shall become void for projects not completed within the specified period.
- It has been made possible to carry out partial acceptance under certain conditions.
Netting and surplus energy
- The principles regarding the determination and evaluation of surplus energy have been re-regulated.
- It has been regulated that surplus energy generated from unlicensed generation facilities cannot be sold under bilateral agreements or within organized electricity markets.
Hourly netting system
- It has been regulated that netting shall be carried out on an hourly basis by the market operator for generation facilities based on renewable energy sources that have been entitled to receive a connection agreement call letter as of 12 May 2019, as well as for generation facilities specified under the Regulation.
Generation limit
- It has been regulated that the annual amount of generation cannot exceed twice the total annual electricity consumption of the relevant consumption facilities.
- It has been stipulated that no payment shall be made for surplus energy exceeding this limit.
Association with consumption facilities
- The rule that generation and consumption facilities must be located within the same distribution region has been maintained.
- It has been regulated that this requirement shall not apply to facilities falling within the scope of the relevant provision of the Regulation.
- The provisions regarding changes in consumption facilities and the conditions for association have been revised.
Subscriber group and supplier requirement
- It has been regulated that consumption facilities associated with generation facilities must belong to the same subscriber group.
- If more than one consumption facility is associated, it has been regulated that these facilities must procure electricity from the same supplier.
Aggregator concept
- The term “incumbent supplier company” has been amended as “incumbent supplier company or aggregator” in the relevant provisions.
Data reporting obligations
- Obligations regarding the establishment of a database for unlicensed generation facilities by the market operator and the submission of relevant data to the Authority have been regulated.
Transfer procedures
- It has been regulated that, in the event of transfer, the consumption facilities to be newly associated must meet the contractual capacity and consumption requirements.
Technical equipment and unauthorized operation
- It has been stipulated that the main equipment used in generation facilities must have been manufactured within the last five years.
- Sanctions to be applied to facilities put into operation before the completion of acceptance procedures have been regulated.A graduated sanction mechanism has been introduced for facilities put into operation without completion of acceptance procedures: facilities without a connection agreement call letter or connection agreement shall be disconnected from the grid, and all equipment must be removed from the parcel within sixty days; the persons concerned shall be prohibited from making applications under the Regulation for three years. For facilities with a connection agreement call letter or connection agreement, a financial charge shall be calculated based on a formula taking into account the installed capacity, capacity utilization rate, and the active energy tariff of the relevant subscriber group. An inspection shall be carried out every sixty days until the violation is remedied, and the charge shall be doubled with each successive inspection.
Storage unit
- It has been made possible to establish an integrated storage unit with unlicensed generation facilities.
- It has been regulated that no payment shall be made for surplus energy generated after netting for the energy supplied to the grid from the storage unit.
Transitional provisions
- Within the scope of the transition to the hourly netting system, the effective date of the regulations regarding the execution of netting processes on an hourly basis by the market operator has been determined as 1 May 2026.
- It has been regulated that, until this date, netting processes shall continue to be carried out within the framework of the current practice.
- Regulations have been introduced regarding the establishment of the necessary systems and infrastructure by the market operator and relevant grid operators by this date.
Details of the Amending Regulation can be found through this link. (only available in Turkish)
