Shipment of an advanced VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel for the fourth unit of Türkiye's first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, began on Thursday, marking a key step in the project's construction.
The shipment of the reactor vessel, which is 13 meters long, 4.5 meters in diameter and weighing 320 tons, is expected to take about three weeks. Once delivered, it will complete the shaping of the plant's nuclear islands.
Speaking at the ceremony, held in teleconference format as part of the World Atomic Week International Forum in Moscow, Director General of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, said that four units are being built simultaneously at Akkuyu, making it one of the world's largest nuclear construction sites.
The reactor pressure vessel is the "heart" of a nuclear unit, Likhachev said. He noted that the vessel bound for Akkuyu's fourth reactor is the 250th built in Russia and the 80th for international projects.
- Akkuyu to generate first electricity in 2026
Türkiye's Deputy Energy and Natural Resources Minister Zafer Demircan said the country's National Energy Strategy centers on sustainable development and energy security, with a commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2053.
"Nuclear energy occupies a vital place in this vision, not only as a low-carbon source of reliable base-load electricity but also as a catalyst for broader technological progress and economic growth," Demircan added.
The country plans to commission at least 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050, including new technologies such as small modular reactors.
"The delivery of the reactor vessel for the fourth unit to the site is a strong demonstration of the joint determination of both countries in implementing the project," he said.
Türkiye aims to generate first power from the first unit next year, he noted. "By the end of 2028, all units are planned to be fully operational," he added.
Türkiye is building its first nuclear power plant, the four-unit Akkuyu project on the Mediterranean coast, in partnership with Russia's state nuclear agency, Rosatom.
Once fully operational, the plant is expected to supply about 10% of Türkiye's electricity demand for at least 60 years and reduce 35 million tons of carbon emission per year.
During the event, the shipment of another advanced VVER-1200 reactor was also launched for Egypt's El Dabaa plant.
Reporting by Firdevs Yuksel in Moscow
Writing by Handan Kazanci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
