This report explores how Turkish energy companies can strategically expand...
Read MoreYasin Bilgehan Akalan
Attorney at Law
Immigration Law Expert – Akalan Law Firm
In 2024, 84% of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the United States came from solar energy. For Turkish companies operating in the U.S. energy market, even the right project can succeed—or fail—depending on the state in which it is pursued. A company that misses an opportunity in California may grow rapidly in Texas.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that electricity generation in the United States will continue to grow in 2025 and 2026. Accordingly, electricity production is expected to increase by approximately 2.4% in 2025 and 1.7% in 2026. This growth is more pronounced compared to the relatively stagnant production trend observed during the 2010–2020 period (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2025). Rapid expansion in renewable energy capacity further supports this outlook; Reuters reported that 84% of newly installed electricity capacity in the United States in 2024 came from solar energy (Sheldrick, 2025).
One of the primary drivers of this growth is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), described as the most comprehensive energy and climate legislation in U.S. history. By significantly reducing project development costs in areas such as renewable energy, hydrogen, energy storage, and nuclear power, the IRA has substantially increased international investor interest (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2023). This wide-ranging expansion positions the United States not only as a large energy market, but also as one of the central countries shaping global energy strategies.
This environment creates unique opportunities for Turkish energy companies seeking international expansion. Türkiye’s strengths in EPC contracting, engineering expertise in solar and wind energy, cost advantages in energy equipment manufacturing, and a highly skilled workforce align naturally with the accelerating energy transition needs of the United States. Consequently, the U.S. is no longer viewed by Turkish firms merely as a sales market, but increasingly as a platform for manufacturing, R&D, technology development, partnership formation, and long-term investment.
As of 2026, the U.S. energy sector has entered a phase of expansion in terms of both the investment environment and technological transformation. Renewable energy investments, combined with federal and state-level incentives, have turned the sector into a rapidly growing ecosystem.
1.Macro Trends: The Impact of the IRA and the Clean Energy Ecosystem
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has reduced investors’ financial risk by providing long-term tax credits for clean energy investments, thereby strengthening the economic feasibility of energy projects (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2023). According to an assessment published in Forbes, the IRA’s clean energy tax credits—specifically the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC)—could double wind and solar energy deployment in the United States by 2030 (Forbes, 2022).
According to SEIA’s Solar Industry Research Data, the U.S. solar energy sector continues to expand rapidly: installed solar capacity increases each year, solar accounts for the largest share of new electricity generation capacity additions, and both the sector’s economic contribution and employment levels are steadily rising (Solar Energy Industries Association & Wood Mackenzie, 2025).
2.Strategic Alignment Areas for Turkish Companies
These developments create high potential for Turkish companies particularly in the following segments:
Considering Türkiye’s strengths in engineering and EPC capabilities, Turkish companies are well positioned to compete effectively in large-scale projects in the United States.
The size and diversity of the U.S. energy market offer Turkish companies a wide range of positioning opportunities across multiple segments.
In 2024, the U.S. solar energy sector installed approximately 50 GW of new capacity, representing an increase of around 21% compared to 2023 (Solar Energy Industries Association & Wood Mackenzie, 2025).
In 2024 and 2025, the United States emerged as the world’s largest LNG exporter and continues to expand its capacity through new terminal investments (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2024). This trend highlights ongoing EPC demand for liquefaction facilities, storage infrastructure, and natural gas pipeline projects.
According to SEIA, the United States currently has approximately 83 GWh of installed energy storage capacity. Based on existing market trends, this capacity is expected to reach only around 450 GWh by 2030. SEIA notes that this baseline projection is insufficient and recommends enhanced policy support to achieve the required deployment levels (Solar Energy Industries Association, 2025). This gap creates significant opportunities for Turkish equipment manufacturers and system integrators.
The U.S. electricity infrastructure is aging and is now required to perform far beyond its original design parameters. This condition increases the risk of both the frequency and duration of power outages, thereby driving demand for more advanced, “smart,” and modern grid solutions enabled by digital and automated technologies (U.S. Department of Energy, n.d.).
The IRA’s Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit represents a major fiscal incentive designed to accelerate clean hydrogen production. This credit provides a per-kilogram incentive for qualified clean hydrogen production for a period of up to 10 years (U.S. Department of Energy, 2025). Substantial opportunities exist in areas such as electrolyzer manufacturing, hydrogen storage, and hydrogen safety engineering.
The United States operates under a multi-layered system in which each state maintains its own economic policies, incentive mechanisms, and energy strategies, rather than a single unified business law framework. As a result, selecting the right state is a critical determinant of successful market entry.
Companies intending to operate in the U.S. energy sector must complete the following fundamental steps:
These requirements are essential for securing project financing and for conducting business with public institutions and regulated entities within the U.S. energy sector.
Sometimes the fate of a startup doesn’t hinge on a single line of code, but on whether the person who will write that code can cross a border. In an era where the hottest AI startups race against global competitors, the ability to move talent—fast, legally, and strategically—can make the difference between scaling and stalling.
V- Navigating U.S. Immigration Law for Energy Sector ExpansionEntering the U.S. energy market necessitates not only technical and commercial expertise but also a strategic approach to immigration. A well-structured immigration strategy is critical for ensuring the smooth operation and scalability of energy companies in the U.S. market. This section outlines the key visa categories that play a vital role for energy companies, as defined by U.S. immigration law and administered by USCIS, including the Business Visitor Visa, which is essential for short-term business activities and meetings.
The L-1 Visa is one of the most functional and strategically significant visa categories for Turkish nergy companies seeking expansion into the U.S. market. This visa allows the transfer of key personnel who have been employed by a company’s non-U.S. office to a related U.S. entity or a newly established U.S. office. The L-1A visa is designated for executives and senior managers, granting authority to establish, oversee, and manage U.S. operations. The L-1B visa applies to engineers and technical professionals who possess specialized knowledge essential to the company’s business activities. The L-1 Blanket program offers a streamlined and scalable transfer mechanism for multinational companies with frequent intra-company transfers.
L-1 visa requirements and L1 visa criteria focus on the qualifying corporate relationship, the employee’s role, and prior employment duration.When properly structured, the transition from L-1 visa to green card is a viable and strategic pathway, particularly for L-1A beneficiaries.
Due to Türkiye’s status as a treaty country, the E-2 Visa offers a highly effective and flexible market entry option for Turkish investors entering the United States. The E-2 investor visa is based on a qualifying investment in a U.S. enterprise that is active, operating, and capable of generating economic impact. Unlike immigrant visa categories, visa E2 does not impose a fixed minimum capital requirement, allowing investment levels to be assessed proportionally.
One of the key advantages of the E-2 visa is its unlimited renewability, provided that the business continues to meet eligibility standards. The visa is particularly well suited for EPC offices, trading entities, and R&D centers operating in the U.S. market. E-2 visa requirements focus on investor nationality, source of funds, ownership structure, and the non-marginality of the enterprise.
A properly structured E-2 visa application can support sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI) and long-term commercial presence in the United States.
The H-1B Visa is a suitable nonimmigrant visa category for energy engineers, software specialists, and research and development professionals employed in specialty occupations. The H-1B visa requires that the position involve highly specialized knowledge and that the beneficiary hold the relevant academic qualifications. One of the distinguishing features of the H-1B is its dual-intent nature, which allows employers and employees to pursue permanent residency without jeopardizing visa status. Within the framework of H-1B visa 2026 eligibility criteria, the H-1B remains an important tool for long-term workforce planning in technology- and innovation-driven energy projects.
The O-1 Visa provides a cap-exempt and expedited nonimmigrant visa option for individuals who demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field. Within the energy sector, this category is particularly suitable for patent-holding engineers, professionals who have led large-scale or high-impact projects, and researchers with substantial academic publications. O-1 visa qualifications are assessed based on sustained national or international recognition, supported by objective evidence. O-1 visa requirements emphasize documented achievements, expert testimonials, and a clear connection between the beneficiary’s expertise and the proposed U.S. role. When properly documented, the O-1 visa serves as an effective mechanism for deploying top-tier talent in advanced and innovation-driven energy initiatives.
The B-1 Visa, also referred to as the business visitor visa, is commonly used during the initial market entry phase into the United States. It allows foreign business professionals to engage in limited activities such as site visits, business meetings, feasibility assessments, and investment-related discussions. The B-1 visa does not authorize employment, productive labor, or hands-on operational work in the United States. Its proper use is critical to maintaining compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. When applied within its defined scope, the B-1 visa supports preliminary market evaluation without triggering employment authorization issues.
The strategic sequencing of the B-1 Visa with other employment-based visa categories underpins sustainable, long-term energy operations in the U.S. market.
As of 2026, the U.S. energy market stands out as one of the most influential arenas driving the global energy transition. Extensive federal incentive programs, rapid technological advancement, strong capital availability, and state-level energy policies supporting clean energy collectively create a uniquely attractive environment for foreign investors. For Turkish energy companies seeking market expansion, the United States offers not only scale but also long-term strategic depth.
With proven EPC contracting expertise, a young and highly skilled engineering workforce, and solid international project experience, Turkish firms are well positioned to participate in renewable energy investments across the U.S. market. Yet, success depends on a clearly defined international expansion strategy, including accurate state selection, regulatory compliance, effective immigration strategy planning, and optimal use of incentive mechanisms.
The United States should therefore be viewed not merely as a destination market, but as a strategic launchpad for global growth, technology development, and sustainable positioning. As transformation in clean energy accelerates beyond 2026, early and well-structured decisions will play a decisive role in shaping
California Energy Commission. (n.d.). California Energy Commission. https://www.energy.ca.gov/
Forbes. (2022, August 23). Inflation Reduction Act benefits: Clean energy tax credits could double deployment. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2022/08/23/inflation-reduction-act-benefits-clean-energy-tax-credits-could-double-deployment
Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). Employer Identification Number (EIN). Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://www.irs.gov/businesses/employer-identification-number
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. (n.d.). Offshore wind. https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/All-Programs/Offshore-Wind
Sheldrick, A. (2025). Solar accounted for 84% of new U.S. power added in 2024. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/solar-accounted-84-new-us-power-added-2024-report-says-2025-03-11
Solar Energy Industries Association & Wood Mackenzie. (2025). U.S. Solar Market Insight 2024 Year in Review. Solar Energy Industries Association. https://seia.org/research-resources/solar-market-insight-report-2024-year-in-review
Solar Energy Industries Association. (2025, January 28). SEIA announces target of 700 GWh of U.S. energy storage by 2030. SEIA. https://seia.org/news/seia-announces-target-of-700-gwh-of-u-s-energy-storage-by-2030
U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.-a). Register your business. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business
U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.-b). Basic information about operating agreements.
https://www.sba.gov/blog/basic-information-about-operating-agreements
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d). Grid Modernization and the Smart Grid. U.S. Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/oe/grid-modernization-and-smart-grid
U.S. Department of Energy. (2025, January 3). Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (45V) Resources. U.S. Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/articles/clean-hydrogen-production-tax-credit-45v-resources
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2025, August 21). Texas state energy profile. U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=TX
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2024). U.S. LNG Export Capacity and Projections. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=62083
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2025). Short-Term Energy Outlook. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/steo/
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. [EPA] (2023). Inflation Reduction Act – Renewable Energy Provisions. https://www.epa.gov/green-power-markets/summary-inflation-reduction-act-provisions-related-renewable-energy
Wagster Pettus, E. (2024, January 18). Mississippi legislators approve incentives for a factory that would make EV batteries. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/mississippi-ev-battery-plant-special-session-45399bd35a6c11fe303fb2a919557cfd
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