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A reactor pressure vessel for the fourth unit of Türkiye's first nuclear power plant (NPP) departed Russia this week, marking another milestone for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project targeting first electricity production in 2026.
The shipment ceremony took place during the World Nuclear Week international forum in Moscow, commemorating the 80th anniversary of Russia's nuclear industry.
The 320-ton reactor vessel, measuring approximately 13 meters in length and 4.5 meters in diameter, is expected to arrive at the Akkuyu site in about three weeks.
Rosatom Director General Aleksey Likhachev highlighted the significance of the shipment, noting that Akkuyu represents one of the world's largest nuclear construction sites with four units being built simultaneously.
"The reactor pressure vessel is the heart of a nuclear power unit," Likhachev said.
"The reactor vessel being sent for the fourth unit in Türkiye is the 250th reactor vessel produced in our country, while also being the 80th reactor vessel produced for our international projects," he noted.
Turkish Deputy Energy Minister Zafer Demircan confirmed the country's ambitious nuclear energy targets during the ceremony, emphasizing Türkiye's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2053.
"We aim to commission at least 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050, including innovative technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs)," Demircan said.
"Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is a turning point in Türkiye's peaceful nuclear development," he noted.
The massive project currently employs approximately 30,000 workers across all four units under construction. Demircan noted that the first electricity production is targeted for next year, with all units expected to operate at full capacity by the end of 2028.
"With Akkuyu NPP, we will meet 10% of our electricity production and reduce carbon emissions by 35 million tons annually," he stated.
Anton Dedusenko, Chairman of the Board at Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, provided updates on the plant's progress, confirming that basic construction work on Unit 1 has been completed.
"Unit 1 is focused on completing commissioning work. The unit's systems and components are being prepared for operation. Their compliance with the criteria and specifications set in the project is being checked," Dedusenko told Turkish media during the forum.
He acknowledged delays related to switchgear equipment delivery, explaining: "Due to delivery difficulties from the previous supplier, we had to re-contract from China in 2024. We expect the switchgear equipment to be ready for power supply this year."
The project has significantly exceeded its initial localization targets, with Turkish industry participation growing substantially as construction progresses.
"While the localization volume calculated at the beginning of the project was estimated at $4 billion, today this amount has reached $11 billion when tax payments to the Republic of Türkiye are taken into account," Dedusenko revealed.
Approximately 2,000 Turkish companies have participated as suppliers and contractors at various stages, providing materials, equipment, services, construction and installation work.
Turkish suppliers provide concrete mixtures, reinforcing steel, metal structures, waterproofing materials, and pipe and cable products to meet the project's needs.
The Akkuyu project represents a long-term investment in Türkiye's energy future, designed to provide clean and uninterrupted energy for generations to come.
"A nuclear power plant operating on its own territory will place Türkiye among countries with advanced, environmentally friendly electricity generation technologies," Dedusenko said, noting that the plant will reduce dependence on hydrocarbon imports and price fluctuations in global fossil fuel markets.
The 2010 intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Türkiye for Akkuyu's construction opened what Dedusenko called "the doors for the next 80 years of nuclear cooperation" between the two nations.
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