Türkiye aims to generate its first electricity from the Akkuyu nuclear power plant's first reactor in 2026, marking a major milestone in the country's long-running nuclear energy program, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Wednesday.
"All our efforts are focused on generating the first electricity from Akkuyu this year," Bayraktar said while attending Anadolu's Editor's Desk.
He noted that 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of Türkiye's nuclear program, saying it would be fitting to bring the first reactor online this year. "We are working intensively," he added.
The project for the country's first nuclear power plant was launched under a 2010 agreement with Russia, but has navigated multiple challenges over the years, Bayraktar stated.
"We signed the first agreement regarding Akkuyu in 2010. On Nov. 24, 2015, we experienced the greatest political tension in our history with Russia," he said.
The following year, the country experienced the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. In 2018, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia's President Vladimir Putin met, demonstrating strong commitment, and the project gained momentum after 2016, he explained.
He added that construction permitting began in 2018, followed by pandemic-related disruptions in 2020 and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.
"The earthquake we experienced in Türkiye in 2023 meant we had to deploy all our construction capabilities and resources toward the reconstruction efforts. This had some impact on the project," he said.
Bayraktar also noted that the project faced both direct and indirect embargoes. "So we've been through quite a few challenges, but I believe we've reached the end, and as Türkiye, we plan to generate energy from the first reactor," he added.
- 'We are preparing legislation regarding SMRs'
Türkiye is making major investments in nuclear energy and companies are showing strong interest in the Sinop and Trakya plants, as well as in small modular reactors (SMRs), he said.
"The Ministry of Industry has a very effective support and incentive program," he added.
Bayraktar said the world is entering a new phase in nuclear energy driven by SMRs.
"We should not miss out on this second era of nuclear energy," he said. "Our goal is to become a more influential player in this field."
He said SMRs were among the key topics discussed at Tuesday's cabinet meeting and that he briefed President Erdogan on developments in the sector.
"We are preparing legislation regarding SMRs. We hope to have it ready within this legislative year, and in doing so, we will establish a legal framework," he said.
Türkiye's investments in nuclear energy and SMRs also tie into its broader climate and energy agenda.
This year's UN Climate Conference (COP31) will be held in Antalya under Türkiye's presidency.
"Our President may announce an ambitious goal to the world, and we are preparing for that," he said.
By Ebru Sengul Cevrioglu and Handan Kazanci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
