Construction work is continuing on schedule at the Akkuyu NPP under construction in Türkiye despite earlier delays in equipment supplies. Two key operations recently took place. Heat repair specialists installed the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) at unit 3 while the first batch of fresh nuclear fuel for unit 2 was delivered to the construction site.
Akkuyu, Türkiye’s first NPP, will eventually host four Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors. The pouring of first concrete for unit 1 took place in April 2018, for unit 2 in June 2020, for unit 3 in March 2021, and for unit 4 in July 2022. Rosatom is constructing the reactors according to a build-own-operate model. Unit 1 is expected to begin operation in 2025. In July Akkuyu NPP reported that some 70% of the equipment and systems installed at unit 1 had already undergone commissioning.
The RPV was mounted using the open top technique which allows equipment to be put in place through the open top of the cylindrical part of the reactor building. This optimises construction and installation work before installing the domed part of the inner containment.
Following installation of the RPV, a commission composed of specialists from project company Akkuyu Nukleer, independent inspection organisation Turk Loidu and the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NDK – Nükleer Düzenleme Kurumu) conducted a quality control inspection.
A consignment of nuclear fuel assemblies for unit 2 were delivered to the site in special transport containers and placed in a fresh fuel storage facility in compliance with all international nuclear safety requirements.
The dynamics of work on the site in 2024, as in previous years, was very high. We carried out the main operations provided for by the project plan,” said Sergei Butskikh, First Deputy General Director of Akkuyu Nukleer and Director of the Akkuyu NPP under construction. At unit 3 we have successfully completed responsible work on the installation of the nuclear reactor vessel. As with any other construction and installation operation on the site, the installation required careful training, high qualifications of specialists and special accuracy at each stage. In addition, in December we delivered the first batch of fuel for unit 2 to the Akkuyu NPP site. With clear coordination of the relevant departments of the company, the manufacturer and the supervisory authorities, fuel in sealed containers was delivered to Türkiye by road and sea. Prior to fuel loading, containers will be kept in special storage for fresh fuel at the NPP site.”
The 334-tonne RPV is 11.18 metres high with a diameter of 4.5 metres. Its manufacture in Russia began in February 2020. During the manufacturing process, a whole range of tests was carried out, as well as control assembly with intra-body devices after which a special commission confirmed compliance with all design parameters and product quality.
Fuel for the Akkuyu units is manufactured at the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant (NZKhK – Novosibirskii Zavod KhimConsentratov), part of Rosatom’s fuel company TVEL One load for a VVER-1200 consists of 163 fuel assemblies with uranium enriched up to 5% uranium. Every 18 months, 72 or 73 used fuel assemblies will be with fresh fuel.
In September officials had reported that the launch of Akkuyu unit 1 had been delayed by a few months after Siemens Energy withheld delivery of some critical parts, despite already having produced them, Rosatom Director General Aleksey Likhachev said. Türkiye appealed to Germany, but the problem remained unresolved, prompting Rosatom to place an alternative order with China to keep construction on schedule.
Rosatom has now announced its intention to take legal action against Siemens, accusing the German company of refusing to deliver essential prepaid equipment for a gas-insulted substation that is needed to transmit power from the plant to the electric grid. Siemens had “demonstratively declined to provide equipment that has already been manufactured and paid for,” Rosatom General Manager Aleksey Likhachev said. He emphasised that the refusal has led to additional costs for acquiring replacement equipment and adjusting project timelines.
“Lawsuits will be filed. The non-delivery of pre-paid equipment has not only delayed progress but also incurred extra costs for procurement and installation,” he told Rossiya 24. Siemens Energy gave no official reason for withholding the parts, but Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Türkiye understands that it could be related to sanctions on Russia. Bayraktar called it a political decision “on an issue that is not subject to any international sanctions, financing or legal problems”.
“Over 90% of the first reactor’s construction is complete, but Siemens’ failure to supply equipment and parts used in the substation that transmits electricity. The company must face consequences,” the minister said. Officials have said Türkiye could consider fines against Siemens Energy over the cancellation, even though it has worked with the German company for years.
