In the digital age, information has evolved beyond a mere communication tool to become a strategic resource shaping both international relations and domestic political dynamics. It now functions as a multidimensional and powerful instrument that redefines national sovereignty, drives economic competition, and forms the core of security policies.
Historically, energy has been a cornerstone of national security, economic development, and foreign policy strategies, determining a country’s position in the international system. Today, however, information and energy are no longer treated as separate strategic concerns. The rise in cyber threats, the complexity of digital infrastructure, and the digitalization of global energy systems have brought these domains together in an increasingly integrated way.
Located at a critical junction of energy resources and transmission routes between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Türkiye plays a central role in the flow of digital data as well. This strategic position makes the concept of a “cyber corridor” both a necessity and an opportunity for digital sovereignty and energy security. A cyber corridor ensures the sovereign and secure management of energy and data flows through digital infrastructures. Distributed ledger technologies like blockchain, with their transparency, immutability, and automation capabilities, are essential tools for reinforcing Türkiye’s sovereignty in the fields of energy and information.
Cyber corridors go beyond internet traffic they are complex strategic frameworks organized around principles such as security, sovereignty, traceability, and sustainability. By integrating advanced technologies like digital diplomacy, data security, artificial intelligence, and cyber threat intelligence, they help protect a nation’s digital borders, regulate information flows, and enhance resilience against external interference. They also create new arenas for power struggles in international relations, making digital sovereignty a tangible objective.
For Türkiye, establishing a cyber corridor is not just a defensive strategy it is also a proactive foreign policy initiative. Projects such as China’s “Digital Silk Road” and Russia’s “Sovereign Internet” demonstrate how digital corridors encompass not just technical but also political, economic, and security dimensions.
By actively participating in the global digital transformation, Türkiye can gain strategic advantages. Rather than being a mere consumer, Türkiye must become a developer and manager of digital infrastructure, shaping international digital trade routes and enhancing its digital sovereignty. This shift will open new opportunities in energy, defense, and economic sectors, while promoting self-reliance through domestic technology development.
Blockchain technology, known for its decentralized, immutable, and transparent nature, holds potential beyond finance. It offers a strategic infrastructure for digital sovereignty by securely and traceably recording data without the need for centralized authority. In the energy sector, smart contracts enable automated energy transactions, verified operations, and transparent record-keeping enhancing both security and efficiency. This contributes not only to energy supply security but also to the digitalization of energy diplomacy.
This potential aligns with Türkiye’s strong energy infrastructure and growing digital capacity. In July 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced a $30 billion investment in a next generation east to west electricity corridor. This project supports physical energy transmission alongside data security through blockchain-based digital infrastructure. Securing data flows in energy networks via blockchain is vital for monitoring, auditing, and transparent governance. Through such developments, Türkiye can play a crucial role in regional energy trade and the global digital economy, reinforcing its cyber sovereignty.
The green energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Türkiye, announced in June 2025, enables the transfer of renewable energy from Nakhchivan to Türkiye, strengthening its role as an energy bridge to Europe. This partnership, supported by blockchain-based monitoring systems, will ensure the secure and immutable tracking of energy flows, boosting Türkiye’s control over its energy systems. In this context, blockchain becomes a valuable tool for rebuilding both supply chains and energy diplomacy on a secure digital foundation.[i]
Türkiye’s geopolitical position makes it a natural transit hub for both energy and digital data flows. However, its dependency on foreign digital infrastructure, especially in internet backbones, creates vulnerabilities in digital sovereignty. To address this, Türkiye must support national data centers with renewable energy, establish blockchain-based energy supply chains, and manage them as an integrated “cyber corridor.” This three-pronged strategy will not only secure energy infrastructure but also unify data security, AI applications, and digital sovereignty policies.
Reports published by the Blockchain Türkiye Platform in July 2025 support these policies, advocating for the widespread adoption of blockchain in energy, digital identity, secure communication, and data infrastructure. The reports also emphasize the urgent need to develop local blockchain protocols and regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, the upcoming renegotiation of the Iraq–Türkiye Oil Pipeline agreement (set to expire in 2026) could position Türkiye not only as a pipeline operator but also as a regional digital energy player managing both the infrastructure and the flow of data and information via blockchain enabled monitoring, transparency, and crisis-response mechanisms. This would allow Türkiye to establish dual sovereignty over energy and information channels, securing its place in the strategic power architecture of the 21st century.[ii]
Cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns targeting energy infrastructure highlight the interconnectedness of information and energy sovereignty. In the digital age, attacks on energy networks can cause not only physical disruptions but also public misinformation and economic instability. To protect its energy and information systems, Türkiye must undergo technical and governance transformation. By implementing blockchain-based energy data infrastructure, ensuring transparency and immutability, and reducing external dependence through national cloud systems and data centers, Türkiye can move beyond being a mere energy transit country to becoming a regional control hub for energy and data flows. This strategic position will strengthen Türkiye’s energy diplomacy and digital sovereignty efforts.
[i] “Azerbaycan’dan Türkiye’ye ‘yeşil enerji’ adımı”, Hürriyet, https://bigpara.hurriyet.com.tr/haberler/genel-haberler/azerbaycandan-turkiyeye-yesil-enerji-adimi_ID1612836/, (Date Accessed: 24.07.2025).
[ii] “2035’e kadar 30 milyar dolarlık yatırım yapılacak”, Hürriyet, https://bigpara.hurriyet.com.tr/haberler/ekonomi-haberleri/bakan-bayraktar-2035e-kadar-30-milyar-dolarlik-yatirim-yapilacak_ID1614706/, (Date Accessed: 24.07.2025).
