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Türkiye's nuclear industry export potential is increasing thanks to experience gained from the ongoing construction of the country's first nuclear power plant, according to the Nuclear Industry Association.
Nuclear Industry Association (NSD) President Alikaan Ciftci said the experience gained from the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant has opened doors for nuclear industry exports.
"We have the potential to become an important stakeholder in nuclear investments to be made in the Middle East, Africa and our neighboring countries," Ciftci said during the 11th Nuclear Power Plants Summit in Istanbul.
The summit was organized with support from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources through cooperation between Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) and NSD, with Anadolu Agency as Global Communication Partner.
Ciftci highlighted that approximately 400 local companies have participated in various aspects of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project, including engineering, logistics, manufacturing, metal construction, valves, pumps, and cables.
He emphasized that the association's primary goal is to increase domestic industry participation in Türkiye's first nuclear plant and ensure maximum benefit from the project.
"We will certainly use the knowledge, accumulation and experience we gained at Akkuyu NPP in the second and third conventional nuclear power plants planned to be built in our country, and we will take them further. This is our goal," Ciftci stated.
Ciftci recalled that Türkiye aims to increase its nuclear energy installed capacity to 20 gigawatts by 2050, in line with ministry targets.
Five gigawatts of this capacity is planned to come from small modular reactors (SMRs).
He described this as a significant and effective goal for the country's industry and energy infrastructure.
Small modular reactors offer shorter installation time and lower cost advantages due to their size, factory producibility, and suitability for serial manufacturing, according to Ciftci.
"SMRs will make an important contribution to our country's energy infrastructure. This is very important not only in terms of ensuring energy supply security with nuclear energy, but also in terms of bringing advanced and new generation nuclear technologies to our country," he said.
The association is also working on Türkiye's nuclear cooperation potential abroad, Ciftci explained. Many nuclear reactors are planned for construction in the region, with several already under construction.
"Just as we will use the knowledge and accumulation that our industry has gained with Akkuyu NPP in the second and third nuclear power plants planned to be built in our country, in small nuclear reactors, we can see that we can become an exporter in the field of nuclear energy and nuclear industry," he noted.
Ciftci emphasized the significant export and employment potential for Türkiye in the nuclear sector.
"We have the potential to become an important stakeholder in nuclear investments to be made in the Middle East, Africa and our neighboring countries. If we increase our industry's knowledge and interest, we can bring a very serious export and employment potential to our country in the coming years," he said.
Besides the ongoing Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant construction, Ciftci mentioned nuclear power plant projects planned for Sinop and Thrace regions.
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