Turkey to launch first Akkuyu reactor by year-end
Turkey's first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, is on track to begin operations with its first reactor by the end of 2026, with full capacity expected to supply 10% of the country's electricity needs. The project, led by Russia's Rosatom, is also set to include a data center and has seen increased local industrial participation.
Consensus
- The first energy block of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey is expected to start operation by the end of 2026.
- The Akkuyu nuclear power plant consists of four reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 MW.
- After the full commissioning of all four blocks, the plant will supply 10% of Turkey's electricity needs.
- The first block will cover 2–2.5% of Turkey's electricity demand upon commissioning.
- Turkey plans to build a data center at the Akkuyu site alongside the third and fourth reactors.
- The project is being implemented by Akkuyu Nuclear, a subsidiary of Russia's Rosatom.
- The plant is located in Mersin Province on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey.
- Turkey has increased local industrial participation in the project, with localization exceeding 50%.
- Turkey plans to build eight additional reactors in the future, with projects in Sinop and Thrace under development.
- Turkey is negotiating with Canada, China, and South Korea for future nuclear projects, and Russia intends to transfer expertise from Akkuyu to the Sinop project.
Points of divergence
- After the first block is commissioned, 2–2.5% of the country's electricity demand will be covered by nuclear energy. — kommersant
- After the first block is commissioned, nuclear energy will cover 2–2.5% and after full commissioning, the plant will be able to supply electricity to Istanbul independently. — vedomosti
- The second reactor is 60–70% complete, while the third and fourth are at an earlier stage. — vedomosti
- The first block is entering the testing phase. — kommersant
- The project has faced pressure from Western state structures, affecting cost and timeline. — vedomosti
- Rosatom plans to begin fuel loading and commissioning of the first block in autumn of the current year. — vedomosti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Turkish Ministry of Energy: First power unit of the "Akku" nuclear power plant will be launched by the end of the year — Коммерсантъ
- Turkish Ministry of Energy: First block of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant is planned to be launched by the end of 2026 — Ведомости