Newsletters
The first reactor unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Türkiye’s inaugural nuclear energy project, has entered the commissioning phase and is set to meet the power needs of roughly 3 million to 4 million residents in the southern provinces of Mersin and Adana, General Manager Sergei Butckikh said.
Butckikh stated that all major construction and installation works for the first unit have been completed, and that core reactor equipment has been installed. Once operational, the unit will generate more than 8.7 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year.
According to Butckikh, the total localization value of the Akkuyu project—including tax payments to the Turkish government—has reached $11 billion. Around 2,000 Turkish companies have taken part in the project as suppliers and contractors at various stages.
Butckikh noted that Turkish suppliers have quickly adapted to the technical requirements of the nuclear industry, upgrading their production standards to meet international norms.
"The Akkuyu site has become one of the region’s largest employers," he said, adding that tens of thousands of people were employed during peak construction. Once all four reactor units are operational, the plant will employ around 4,000 people in permanent operations and maintenance roles.
Butckikh also emphasized that modern nuclear power plants are designed to operate without harming the environment, human health, fisheries, agriculture, or marine ecosystems.
Construction continues simultaneously across the site’s remaining three units. At the third unit, the reactor pressure vessel has been placed in its final position and turbine foundation work has been completed. At the fourth unit, the installation of the core catcher—a crucial safety component—has been finalized along with the turbine building’s concrete foundation.
Butckikh explained that the site selection process for Akkuyu was lengthy and multi-staged to ensure it met both geological and environmental safety standards.
Butckikh said Rosatom’s approach includes continued support after construction, covering areas such as fuel supply, technical maintenance, operational assistance, and spent fuel management. He added that public acceptance and transparency are essential for the long-term success of nuclear projects.
The Akkuyu project marks the first build-own-operate nuclear power model between Türkiye and Russia, under which Rosatom will remain responsible for the plant’s operation and fuel supply. Once all units become operational, which is expected by the end of 2028, the plant is projected to meet about 10% of Türkiye’s electricity demand. The entire complex, with an estimated cost of $25 billion, is designed to operate for 60 to 80 years and could extend its lifespan to up to 100 years with future upgrades.
1 min read
3 min read
