Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant inaugurates first fueling ceremony as Turkey enters league of nuclear power countries.
Turkey Takes a Big Step Towards Nuclear Energy with Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
Turkey has moved closer to becoming a nuclear power with the delivery of nuclear fuel to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The delivery was celebrated with a live video conference attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the ceremony, Erdoğan highlighted that Turkey has now joined the league of nuclear-powered countries with the delivery of nuclear fuel to the plant.
The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is a joint investment between Turkey and Russia and will be the biggest project in both countries. It will have a total installed capacity of 4,800 megawatts and is expected to meet 10% of Turkey’s electricity demand alone. When fully operational, it will produce approximately 35 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually.
The delivery of nuclear fuel to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant marks a significant milestone for Turkey. It is a part of the country’s efforts to develop its energy infrastructure and reduce dependence on energy imports. The operational life of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is planned to be 60 years and has the opportunity to be extended for another 20 years. It will also contribute to Turkey’s “2053 net zero emissions” target, as it can produce electricity continuously with zero emissions, without releasing harmful greenhouse gases into the environment.
The construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant began in 2018, and it currently has four units under construction. The first unit began operating in 2022, and all units will be put into service gradually until 2028.
The success of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project has elevated Turkey to the league of nuclear-powered countries. According to President Erdoğan, the success of the project has emboldened the government to take further action in building additional nuclear power plants.
The European Union has resolved hesitations regarding nuclear energy by adopting it as “green energy.” Turkey’s move to join the league of nuclear-powered countries places the country at the forefront of energy production and could potentially lead to partnerships with other countries, further developing Turkey’s energy security.
