On Sunday, Turkiye embarked on a bold new step in its energy strategy by launching a national call to develop indigenous nuclear reactors. The initiative, announced by Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, is designed to boost the country’s energy security, decrease reliance on foreign sources, and support Turkiye’s ambitious net-zero emissions goal.
Dubbed the "Domestic Nuclear Reactor Development Call," the initiative forms part of Turkiye's broader energy vision, which has already seen significant progress with the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The first reactor of Akkuyu, currently under construction in the Mediterranean region, is set to begin operations in just a few months. The plant, which is being built by the Russian conglomerate Rosatom, will mark Turkiye’s entry into the small group of nations capable of generating civil nuclear energy.
The Akkuyu project, which represents a $20 billion investment, will feature four reactors with a combined capacity of 4.8 gigawatts (GW). Once completed, the plant is expected to generate about 10% of Turkiye’s electricity, a major step toward diversifying the country's energy mix and reducing its dependence on imported energy. According to Global Energy Monitor (GEM), the Akkuyu facility will become the third-largest nuclear project globally.
The new initiative is part of Turkiye's National Technology Initiative, a broader effort to bolster the country's industrial and technological self-sufficiency. This includes efforts to develop locally sourced, carbon-free, and uninterrupted energy resources, which are crucial as the nation strives to meet growing energy demands.
Minister Kacır emphasized that Turkiye is committed to forging its own path in nuclear energy, strengthening both its independence and its national capacity for technological innovation. In a statement on social media, he added, "Through this call, we aim to bring advanced nuclear reactor technologies to Turkiye, leveraging the capabilities of our domestic industry, supported by TENMAK, TÜBİTAK, and our universities."
Applications for the program will be open until December 31, 2025, with the goal of incorporating Turkiye's domestic production capabilities into the design and manufacturing of nuclear reactors.
Officials estimate that Turkiye will require at least eight more reactors, along with 5 GW of small modular reactors (SMRs), to meet its long-term energy security needs. The first unit at Akkuyu, with a capacity of around 1,200 MW, is expected to come online soon, with additional units set to follow in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Turkiye has ambitious plans to expand its nuclear energy capacity. Two new plants are being planned in the northwestern region of Thrace and the Black Sea province of Sinop. By 2035, Turkiye aims to achieve 7.2 GW of nuclear power, with a long-term goal of reaching 20 GW by 2050.
Through these efforts, Turkiye is positioning itself as a growing player in the global nuclear energy sector, with a vision of achieving greater energy independence and sustainability.
Source: Daily Sabah
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
