Turkey continues negotiations over new nuclear power plants

Turkey has been actively developing its nuclear energy sector in recent years. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that the country plans to start operating the first unit of the Akkuyu power plant by the end of this year. At the same time, negotiations are under way with Russia, China and South Korea on building two more nuclear power plants.

Despite complications arising from international sanctions imposed on Russia over its military aggression against Ukraine, Turkey expects the Akkuyu nuclear power plant to start generating electricity during 2024. The plan to complete all four units still targets 2028. The Akkuyu nuclear power plant is expected to cover 10% of Turkey’s electricity consumption and contribute to the government’s target of having 20 GWe of installed nuclear capacity by 2050.

Turkey’s international nuclear courtship

The Akkuyu nuclear power plant, with a planned installed capacity of 4800 MWe, is located in the southern province of Mersin. As Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, it opens a new chapter in the country’s energy sector. Russia’s Rosatom is building four VVER-1200 reactors there under a BOO model (build-own-operate).

Construction of the first unit began in 2018. In addition to plans for a second nuclear power plant in Sinop, there are also plans for a third plant in the Thrace region, in the northwest of the country.

Alparslan Bayraktar stresses that talks with China on the project in Thrace are now at a very advanced stage, indicating a high level of engagement and commitment to developing nuclear energy. Russia, represented by Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev, has not ruled out taking part in the project to build Turkey’s third nuclear power plant in Thrace, as well as in the construction of the Sinop nuclear power plant.

“It is possible that several potential suppliers will bid for the construction. But we are not afraid of competition,” Likhachev told Tass last month. He also said that, in the case of Sinop, Rosatom is discussing technical designs and the “economic parameters of the project” with Turkey.

The country’s future direction

As part of its efforts to diversify energy sources, Turkey is also developing plans to build small modular reactors (SMRs), which are expected to add 5 GWe of installed capacity by 2050. The initiative would involve building at least 16 SMR units.

Turkey is demonstrating its commitment to modernising its national energy sector through plans to build and operate new nuclear power plants. With the support of foreign partners and the use of new technologies such as SMRs, the country is seeking to achieve its energy goals. Technological innovation and the ability to successfully address political and economic challenges will both be crucial to delivering these ambitious projects.