Washington Open to Financing Nuclear Energy Initiatives in Türkiye — Official”
U.S. State Department adviser describes Washington and Ankara as ‘close friends and strong partners.’
U.S. financial institutions are prepared to support nuclear energy initiatives in Türkiye—particularly small modular reactor (SMR) projects—once viable proposals are on the table, a senior adviser from the U.S. State Department said.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of the 11th Nuclear Power Plants Summit in Istanbul held July 1-2, Justin Friedman remarked:
“We’re essentially waiting for the right projects to emerge so we can align funding with them. The financing is ready; we just need solid proposals.”
Friedman noted that the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation have already issued letters of interest totaling over $17 billion for nuclear ventures in Romania and Poland. These agencies are now eyeing opportunities in Türkiye.
“I know they’re actively exploring options here in Türkiye, with specific interest in advancing SMRs,” he added.
Türkiye’s nuclear roadmap
Türkiye is currently constructing its first nuclear power facility—the four-unit Akkuyu plant on the Mediterranean coast—in collaboration with Russia’s Rosatom. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to provide around 10% of the country’s electricity needs for at least six decades.
Looking ahead, Ankara is planning additional large-scale projects in Sinop on the Black Sea and in the Thrace region, aiming to achieve 20 gigawatts of installed nuclear capacity by 2050. Small modular reactors are also under consideration as part of the nation’s long-term energy portfolio.
Friedman, who previously served as political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara from 2014 to 2017, emphasized that there is clear room for collaboration between Turkish and American firms in the SMR sector.
“Turkish companies are already supplying components and services for nuclear projects beyond Türkiye’s borders,” he said.
“It makes perfect sense for U.S. firms to tap into that expertise as they look to develop projects here.”
