The Dark Side of Renewable Energy: An Assessment in the Context of Environmental Quality and Energy Security

Environmental quality and energy security are among the primary concerns of the modern world. The reliance on fossil fuels, which are inherently limited resources, to meet energy needs has paved the way for environmental degradation and energy security issues. Renewable energy has been widely regarded as a critical solution for eliminating the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels and meeting energy needs in an environmentally compatible and sustainable manner. However, over time, it has been recognized that renewable energies are not as harmless as initially thought, as they can have various adverse effects on the environment and pose distinct risk factors for energy security. Although the risks of renewable energy, both existing and potential, are highlighted in academic studies, it is observed that these risks have not been addressed from a broad perspective, particularly in the Turkish literature. Based on this, the study aims to identify the existing problematic aspects and potential risk factors of hydroelectric, wind, and solar energy systems in the context of environmental quality and energy security, considering their strategic importance, widespread use, and distinct dynamics. As a result of the evaluation conducted through literature review and document analysis, it has been observed that these types of renewable energy provide various benefits but also pose significant risks to environmental quality and energy security.