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Türkiye's Akkuyu nuclear power plant is expected to receive its first nuclear fuel in one or two weeks, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced Tuesday, as testing advances at the facility.
Speaking at the 16th Türkiye Energy Summit in Istanbul, Bayraktar said the plant, built by Russia's state nuclear energy company Rosatom, was approaching a new phase after delays linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and earthquakes.
"We have reached the final stage. Intensive testing is currently underway," he explained. "We aim to load nuclear fuel in the coming weeks and begin physical start-up, and from 2027 onward, we will use Akkuyu's electricity in our system."
More than 1,000 tests are required before the plant can enter operation, according to the minister.
A statement from Akkuyu confirmed that hydraulic tests on equipment in the secondary circuit of the first power unit had been completed, marking another milestone in preparations for further testing.
The three-day procedure covered four steam generators, steam valve units and feedwater pipelines. Engineers subjected the equipment to pressures of up to 12.6 megapascals after heating the steam generators to 126 degrees Celsius, while the water temperature reached 135 degrees.
Following checks of operating parameters and connection points, the pressure was reduced to 10.1 megapascals for final inspections.
The results confirmed the equipment's pressure resistance and readiness for subsequent tests, according to the project company. The work also paved the way for preparations for hot testing of the reactor system.
Beyond Akkuyu, Türkiye aims to reach 20,000 megawatts of installed nuclear power capacity by 2050 through the Akkuyu plant, potential projects in Sinop and Thrace, and small modular reactors.
Bayraktar said nuclear investment talks with South Korea are scheduled for Monday, while discussions with China and Russia continue.
Ankara intends to identify the technologies and projects best suited to the country's needs before committing to additional plants, Bayraktar added.
Türkiye also plans to unveil its "National Energy 2040 Vision" on Nov. 5 at Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul, setting out a strategy to advance its 2053 carbon neutrality goal.
"We are moving toward a period in which electricity will be used more intensively across all areas of the Turkish economy," Bayraktar remarked, emphasizing electrification and energy independence.
The plan will address electricity, oil, natural gas and rising demand from artificial intelligence and data centers, with digitalized power grids, energy storage and electric mobility supporting the transition.
He argued that oil prices potentially exceeding $115 per barrel and natural gas prices equivalent to $170-$180 per barrel of oil further strengthen the case for electric transport.
On domestic production, Bayraktar reported that output at the Gabar oil field had reached 85,000 barrels per day, with a target of more than 100,000 in 2027.
State-owned Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) currently produces around 300,000 barrels of oil and gas per day and aims to raise output to 550,000-600,000 barrels in 2028, eventually reaching 1 million barrels per day through new fields, partnerships and acquisitions.
Bayraktar also pointed to agreements with BP, ConocoPhillips, Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron as part of Türkiye's overseas expansion. Exploration plans cover Iraq, Syria, Libya and Pakistan, while Turkish vessels are expected to operate off Lebanon and Syria.
"We have become a country that explores for oil and natural gas using its own vessels," Bayraktar stressed, citing ongoing exploration off Somalia and continued operations in Libya.
Bayraktar also noted that the seismic vessel Oruc Reis was scheduled to travel to Pakistan for exploration work and cited Türkiye's partnership with BP at Iraq's Kirkuk field as another part of the country's international energy efforts.
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