Distribution security deposits and consumer storage in Turkey

This guide summarises what two regulation changes published in Turkey’s Official Gazette No. 33405 of 19 October 2026 mean for consumers: the change to the Electricity Market Connection and System Usage Regulation and the change to the Electricity Storage Activities Regulation, both issued by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK). Both took effect on the day they were published.

Security for distribution system usage

Users with a Distribution System Usage Agreement give the distribution company security in the amount set under article 14 of that agreement. Article 24 of the regulation changed as follows:

• Form. Security is given as an unconditional, open-ended bank letter of guarantee or in cash. The user may also give an electronic letter of guarantee.
• Additional security. If the security has to be increased, the additional amount is provided within 10 working days of the distribution company’s written notice.
• Excess security. If the distribution company holds more security than required and the user asks for it, the excess is refunded within 10 working days.
• Shortfall. If the shortfall is 20% or more of the security that must be held, the distribution company reports the user to EPDK.
• Maximum rate. The maximum rate used to calculate security amounts is at most 1 times for a user who has paid system usage invoices in full for the last 24 months and has not defaulted on the security.

One-month refund. Under provisional article 15 added to the regulation, excess security arising from the maximum-rate rule is refunded by the distribution company to the users concerned within one month of 19 October 2026.

Where the system usage charge appears on the bill is explained in How to read an electricity bill.

Consumers installing a storage facility

The first paragraph of article 6 of the Storage Activities Regulation was rewritten. A consumer may install an electricity storage facility on two conditions:

1. The relevant grid operator gives a positive connection opinion.
2. The storage is at the same metering point as the consumption.

Storage above the agreed capacity. If the storage’s installed capacity is above the agreed capacity, the paragraph added to article 14 of the Connection and System Usage Regulation applies. The consumer must install an automatic power control unit and a cut-off system, and take all necessary measures, to:

• prevent export of energy to the grid,
• keep imports from the grid within the existing agreed capacity.

What to do

• Check your security. Keep the security amount held by your distribution company and your system usage payment record for the last 24 months together. If you meet the conditions, ask the distribution company in writing about refunding the excess.
• Put the deadlines in the calendar. A notice asking for additional security starts a 10-working-day period; a request for excess security also gives the distribution company 10 working days.
• Plan storage around the agreed capacity. Compare the storage’s installed capacity with the agreed capacity; if it is higher, include the automatic power control and cut-off system in the design and the connection application.
• Watch peak demand. Verify by measurement that imports stay within the agreed capacity while the storage is operating.

Other changes in the same Official Gazette

Short summaries of other texts published in the same issue are in the “Recent changes” section of Regulation and compliance.