Türkiye is set to activate the first reactor at its Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant next year, according to Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

The announcement was made during a panel session titled “Global Energy Markets: Transforming Relations and Balancing Interests” at the International Forum on Russian Energy Week in Moscow.

Speaking at the forum, Bayraktar emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to expanding its nuclear energy capabilities, noting that the country is actively investing in nuclear infrastructure to meet its growing energy demands. The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, located in southern Türkiye, is being constructed in collaboration with Russia’s state-owned Rosatom corporation.

“We are very close to commissioning the first reactor at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant next year,” Bayraktar said, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS. This timeline aligns with earlier statements from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has also highlighted the project’s significance.

The Akkuyu facility, Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant, will consist of four power units equipped with Russian-designed VVER III+ reactors, each capable of generating 1,200 megawatts of electricity. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to significantly boost Türkiye’s energy capacity.

Bayraktar further noted that Türkiye’s long-term energy strategy includes the development of at least 12 reactors, combining conventional and small modular designs, to address the nation’s rising energy needs. The Akkuyu project marks a pivotal step in diversifying Türkiye’s energy mix and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The collaboration with Rosatom underscores the strengthening energy partnership between Türkiye and Russia, with the Akkuyu plant serving as a flagship project in this bilateral effort. As construction progresses, all eyes will be on the successful launch of the first reactor in 2026, a milestone that could reshape Türkiye’s energy landscape. (ILKHA)