Türkiye's first nuclear power plant (NPP), Akkuyu, is drawing increasing attention from potential investors as the project nears the energy generation stage, the project's top executive told Anadolu on Wednesday.
"We approach the selection of potential partners with particular care, understanding that as the project moves closer to the energy generation stage, its attractiveness to investors increases," said Anton Dedusenko, the CEO of Rusatom Energy International and chairman of the Board of Directors of Akkuyu Nuclear Joint Stock Company (JSC), speaking on the sidelines of the 11th Nuclear Power Plants Summit in Istanbul.
Noting that the project is currently ongoing, Dedusenko said: "Right now, the main efforts are focused on the facilities of the first startup complex. At the first power unit, commissioning works are currently being carried out—this is the preparation stage for the launch, during which all systems of the unit undergo a comprehensive set of verification operations."
"The project team is doing everything possible to ensure that the first kilowatt enters Türkiye's energy system as soon as possible," he added.
Dedusenko noted that at the same time, they continue to seek potential investors.
"This topic is not new. The possibility of selling up to 49% of the share in the Akkuyu NPP project is provided by the intergovernmental agreement signed in 2010 for the project implementation," he said.
The negotiation process is ongoing, and discussions are underway with potential partners, including Turkish companies, Dedusenko said.
"According to the terms of the same intergovernmental agreement, the selection of potential partners requires mandatory approval from the Turkish side," he added.
By Handan Kazanci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com