Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that he discussed the implementation of the Akkuyu NPP construction project with Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev in Ankara.
A comprehensive meeting was held at our ministry with Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev. We discussed the latest developments at the Akkuyu NPP, where Turkey's 70-year dream of nuclear energy is now becoming a reality, the progress of commissioning the first power unit, and the construction processes of the remaining three reactors.
According to him, Turkey will expand its nuclear energy initiative, which began with the Akkuyu NPP, by building new NPPs in Sinop and Thrace, as well as small modular reactors. The country's goal is to increase nuclear power capacity to 20,000 megawatts by 2050.
We have previously reported that the first power unit of the Akkuyu NPP is planned to be launched in 2026 with the reactor's readiness at about 99%, although earlier deadlines were shifted due to the pandemic and difficulties with purchasing some equipment. In early 2026, the readiness of the first power unit of the Akkuyu NPP was estimated at 95%. The project includes four power units with Russian-designed VVER Generation 3+ reactors, each with a capacity of 1200 MW; after all reactors are commissioned, the plant will be able to cover about 10% of Turkey's electricity needs.
Read more on the topic:
- The first power unit of the Akkuyu NPP in Turkey will start generating electricity in 2026
- Two instead of four: Atommash manufactured giant SPPs for the second unit of Akkuyu NPP
- Site preparation for turbine generator underway at Akkuyu NPP Unit 4