Next year will mark the commissioning of the first set of systems at Türkiye's inaugural nuclear power plant, Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), according to Anton Dedusenko, chairman of the board of directors of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC.
Speaking to Anadolu in Moscow, Dedusenko said construction and installation works are continuing simultaneously on all the units of the plant.
"Once the first unit and the first commissioning complex are put into operation, this complex will serve all remaining units. At present, we are focused on ensuring that this complex begins operation and is ready to supply electricity to the grid next year. Commissioning activities are ongoing," Dedusenko explained.
He noted that the main structures are complete and key equipment at the first unit has been installed, while work at the other units continues. Critical systems, including the gas-insulated switchgear and diesel generators, have been tested, confirming preparations for the plant to be ready next year, he added.
Commenting on the gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) system that Siemens had committed to supply but failed to deliver, Dedusenko underlined that the system is one of the key components of a nuclear power plant.
"Gas-insulated switchgear enables electricity to be transmitted to Türkiye's energy transmission system. Even if the plant is ready, power distribution is not possible without this system," he said.
Citing Rosatom's diversified supply chain, Dedusenko said an alternative solution was arranged quickly in coordination with Chinese partners and Türkiye's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
He said the relevant section of the gas-insulated switchgear for the first unit was installed this year, successfully tested, and energized from Türkiye's grid, noting that the milestone was achieved through close cooperation between Rosatom and the Turkish side.
- 'Turkish firms' involvement in nuclear projects is clear indicator of quality'
Dedusenko stated that participation in a nuclear project is a mark of quality for companies, noting that nearly 2,000 Turkish firms have contributed to the project through collaboration with the Turkish Standards Institute.
He also noted that Rosatom is the company with the largest number of nuclear power plant construction projects worldwide.
"For example, at the Paks II NPP in Hungary, the Turkish company NUTED is involved. Turkish companies have proven themselves so well that both the Hungarian project and the Hungarian regulatory authority work seamlessly with them. This is an important achievement and a clear indicator of quality," he said.
"Turkish companies are also working very effectively in our Egypt project. The issue is not whether a company is Turkish, but whether it delivers quality—and as you can see, Turkish companies do," Dedusenko added.
- Growing importance of small modular reactors
Dedusenko said nuclear energy has come increasingly to the fore in recent years, noting that more than 70 low-power nuclear reactor projects are currently at various stages of construction worldwide.
"Rosatom is clearly a leader in this field. We not only have small reactors that have been implemented, but also reactors installed on nuclear icebreakers," he said.
The essence of small modular reactors is their modularity—they should be assembled and deployed faster than large plants, he explained.
"Our flagship reactor, the RITM-200, has now effectively entered serial production," he said.
Underlining that Türkiye has "huge" plans through 2053, Dedusenko said the country has a limited number of sites suitable for nuclear power plants.
"Small reactors are more compact and can withstand higher seismic loads, making them a very appropriate choice for Türkiye. We are in discussions, and as a leader in this field, the Turkish side is considering these opportunities with us. We are ready for both land-based and floating projects," he said.
Dedusenko added that Rosatom has signed the first export contract for the world's first low-power nuclear project in Uzbekistan, while India and many other countries have also shown interest in small modular reactors. "There are significant opportunities in this field," he said.
Reporting by Emre Gurkan Abay in Moscow
Writing by Humeyra Ayaz
Anadolu Agency
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