Türkiye's nuclear energy ambitions received a new boost as Turkish nuclear technology company Nuclean and Canada's Portland Holdings Investco Limited signed a cooperation agreement focused on small modular reactors (SMRs), technology transfer, workforce development and strengthening the country's domestic nuclear supply chain.
The agreement, which focuses on next-generation nuclear technologies and small modular reactors (SMRs), establishes a framework for long-term cooperation aimed at strengthening Türkiye's nuclear industry, according to an NIATR statement.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony attended by NIATR Chairman Alikaan Ciftci and Portland Holdings Investco Limited Chief Operating Officer Rogerio Tippe.
The cooperation aims to combine Canada's advanced nuclear industry capabilities with Türkiye's expanding nuclear energy goals. It will cover workforce development and training, technology cooperation, awareness initiatives, industrial participation, local supply chain development, and discussions on potential investment and financing opportunities, subject to regulatory approvals and future agreements.
Nuclean board member Koray Tuncer said the agreement would pave the way for new nuclear cooperation between Türkiye and Canada.
"Through this partnership, Turkish companies will gain access to Canada's advanced nuclear ecosystem, including industrial companies, universities, national laboratories, utilities, engineering firms and other stakeholders across the nuclear value chain," he said.
Tuncer added that Portland Holdings would contribute its commercial experience, international network and strategic perspective to support the development of advanced nuclear technologies.
"As Nuclean, we will work with Portland Holdings to identify concrete opportunities for cooperation in SMRs and advanced nuclear technologies and support the sustainable growth of Türkiye's nuclear energy ecosystem," he said.
Portland Holdings Chairman Michael Lee-Chin said countries worldwide were seeking access to skilled talent and reliable low-carbon energy solutions to strengthen energy security, industrial competitiveness and long-term economic resilience.
"Türkiye has made clear that nuclear energy will be a key pillar of its long-term energy security and industrial strategy," Lee-Chin said.
"With the support of Nuclean and NIATR, we are pleased to contribute to this vision through education opportunities, global partnerships and expertise in emerging nuclear technologies. We see this collaboration as an important opportunity to bring together trusted partners, international expertise and nuclear innovation to support the development of Türkiye's nuclear energy ecosystem."
NIATR Chairman Alikaan Ciftci said the partnership would combine complementary strengths in workforce development, education, technology access, industrial participation and capital formation.
Ciftci said Portland Holdings would provide access to Canada's nuclear ecosystem and international expertise, while Nuclean would contribute through its domestic platform, which brings together multiple technology providers in SMRs and advanced nuclear technologies.
"As NIATR, we will provide sector-wide support and strategic infrastructure for this cooperation. Our goal is to establish tangible channels of collaboration that will help position Türkiye as an important player in next-generation nuclear energy," Ciftci said.
By Ebru Sengul Cevrioglu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
