Turkey plans three new nuclear power plants

• 7 years ago (2017-08-11)
• David Flin

Middle East 326 Nuclear 659

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Berat Albayrak, Turkey’s Energy Minister, said that the country plans to build three nuclear power plants between 2023 and 2030, and that these would provide 10 per cent of domestic electricity consumption. Albayrak said that Turkey will be more active in the realisation of nuclear projects, and that the three plants will be greatly beneficial for the energy needs of the country.

He said: “Before the end of this year, we will lay the ground for construction of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.” A second plant will be built at Sinop on the Black Sea with Japanese assistance, with a third plant at a location yet to be determined.

Rosatom has been commissioned to build the $20 billion Akkuyu plant, which will consist of four 1200 MW reactors. The power plant will have an operational life of 60 years. The Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) has granted a power generation licence to Rosatom’s Akkuyu Nuclear Company for a 49 year period.

In 2013, Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement on the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant with Japan. Under the terms of the agreement, the Turkey Electricity Generation Company (EUAS) will hold a 49 per cent stake in the plant, with japan and France holding a 30 per cent and 21 per cent stake respectively. Japanese sources have said that the project will cost $16 billion. The Sinop plant will have a total capacity of 4480 MW, consisting of four reactors, each with a capacity of 1120 MW.

While it has not yet been confirmed, some sources claim that the third plant will be built near Igneada, in the northwestern province of Kirklareli. China will be involved in construction of the third nuclear power plant.