Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant to receive fuel in 2025

The ANPP is planned to comprise four reactors with a combined capacity of 4.8GW, supplying approximately 10% of Türkiye, according to Rosatom Russia’s state nuclear energy company.

The reactors are Generation 3+ VVER of Russian design. Rosatom said ANPP is the first project in the global nuclear industry to be developed in accordance with to the build-own-operate model.

In 2013, it was announced that Rosatom subsidiary Atomstroyexport (ASE) and Turkish construction firm Ozdogu were signed as contractors for the ANPP. The contract included site preparation and excavation work.

The ANPP website, hosted by Rosatom, markets the plant as “The most advanced and safe nuclear power plant. The first one in Turkey.”

Update on progress of construction

Completion of the turbine installation at Unit 1 of ANPP was announced on 12 December, in an update was posted on the website.

A formal event was hosted at ANPP marking the milestone, which was attended by Turkish minister of energy and natural resources Alparslan Bayraktar and Rosatom director general Alexey Likhachev.

Likhachev is sanctioned by the UK Government because of his association with the Russian Government. Sanctions include an asset freeze, travel ban and trust services sanctions.

The Rosatom update said Akkuyu Nuclear JSC chief executive officer Sergei Butckikh provided a report on the progress made at ANPP.

Rosatom said he updated on “the commissioning work at Unit 1, readiness stage of auxiliary facilities, major construction and installation operations and plans for the upcoming year”, as well as “the successful completion of a key operation in the turbine hall of Unit 1: the installation of the turbine-generating unit on the shaft-turning gear.”

Daily Sabah reported Bayraktar had confirmed first fuel would be loaded into the plant in 2025.

Bayraktar said: “To address Türkiye’s increasing energy demand and achieve the 2053 Net-Zero Emission Target, we need nuclear energy. The Akkuyu NPP project is one of the largest projects in our country.

“Its implementation reflects the political will of our President, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, as well as their harmonious interaction. Türkiye and Russia, along with all stakeholders, are working together on this project as a unified team.”

Likhachev said: “The year 2024 was not only a year of serious challenges for Akkuyu NPP, but also of great achievements. Today we witnessed one of the key events at the site – the completion of turbine installation.

“This is a necessary step on the long road to the launch of the power unit. We are committed to making every effort to ensure that Türkiye’s first nuclear power unit begins operation in the near future, providing millions of consumers with stable, low-carbon energy.”

30,000 workers employed on first reactor

Bayraktar announced the news in a post to X where he thanked his president, as well as Russia, for making the project possible.

The post included a video showing Bayraktar in a helicopter looking at the site, as well as drone footage of the plant.

Bayraktar said: “Turkey is realising another dream after 70 years with the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which will provide cheap, uninterrupted and environmentally friendly energy.

He reiterated his thanks to Putin and also thanked Türkiye’s president Erdogan who had shown determination “despite all the difficulties and negativities, and express my gratitude.

“We will commission the first reactor of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, where more than 30,000 workers work day and night, in 2025 and the other three reactors by 2028. May it be beneficial for our country and our nation.”

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