Bayraktar: First reactor at Akkuyu to be commissioned in the coming weeks

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar spoke at the "World Nuclear Days" event organized by Rosatom in Antalya within the scope of COP29 and announced that the first reactor at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will be physically commissioned in the coming weeks.

According to the targets Bayraktar conveyed, Türkiye plans to reach 10 gigawatts of installed nuclear capacity in 2040 and at least 20 gigawatts in 2050. Also setting out the components of this target, the Minister stated that an installed capacity of at least 15 gigawatts must be reached from traditional large-scale nuclear reactors, and that building at least 5 gigawatts of small modular reactor (SMR) capacity has also entered the evaluation agenda. By combining these two sources, the aim is to meet at least 10 to 12 percent of electricity demand in 2050 from clean sources.

Bayraktar stressed that they advocate economies reaching a 35 percent electrification target by 2035 and that this target cannot be achieved without nuclear energy. Within the framework of the "National Energy 2040" vision, he stated that nuclear energy, alongside solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, must serve a baseload function.

Drawing attention to three fundamental elements for reaching the nuclear target, Bayraktar noted that competent human resources, serious investment, and political will and leadership are decisive. Saying that thanks to the leadership and determination demonstrated by President Erdoğan and Russian President Putin the project was brought to life and a dream of nearly 70 years became reality, the Minister added that the work will continue with the projects in Sinop and Thrace, and that small modular reactors will also be included in the energy mix.

Also touching on the cooperation with Russia, Bayraktar stated that Russian technologies are highly reliable and proven technologies, and that they are conducting comprehensive nuclear energy cooperation with Russia that also includes the development of human resources. He stressed that localization is also an important part of this cooperation.

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, for his part, said that Akkuyu is one of the most remarkable projects in the recent history of nuclear energy. Likhachev predicted that fourth-generation nuclear technologies, closing the nuclear fuel cycle and AI-supported smart energy systems will shape the agenda of the next 20-30 years. AA reported.