Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has launched construction works at the 4.8GWe Akkuyu nuclear project site in Turkey. The $20bn project will comprise four 1200MWe Gidropress-designed AES-2006 VVER pressurised water reactors. In June 2017, the Turkish energy regulator, Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), granted a 49-year power generation licence to Russian-owned project company JSC Akkuyu Nuclear. The company received a preliminary licence, enabling it to start investment and permitting procedures for the project, in June 2015.
When fully commissioned in 2023, Akkuyu is expected to generate enough power to meet 28% of the current power demand in Turkey. In June, Rosatom sold a 49% stake in the project to a consortium of Turkish companies – Jengiz Holding (Cengiz Holding), Kolin İnşaat Turizm Sanayi ve Ticaret and JSC "Kalyon İnşaat" (Kalyon İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret). Under the intergovernmental agreement signed in 2010, at least 51% of shares must remain owned by Russian companies.
Rosatom director general Alexei Likhachev told a press briefing at the 61st regular session of the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference in Vienna on 19 September that work was underway, including the hydraulic facilities. He said Rosatom expects to get a construction licence for the Akkuyu plant this year, but that work had already started.
Photo: Site works at the Akkuyu
