Türkiye begins commissioning process at its first nuclear power plant in Akkuyu
Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant has entered the crucial commissioning phase, moving the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) one step closer to generating electricity, according to its Russian project partner.
Speaking at the Nuclear Power Plant Expo and Summit (NPPES) in Istanbul, Anton Dedusenko, chairman of the board of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC and general director of Rusatom Energy International, explained that all systems of the first unit are currently undergoing rigorous checks.
“The commissioning process involves a comprehensive series of control operations,” Dedusenko said. “Right now, we are in one of the final stages before starting the operation of Unit 1. All systems and components are being brought to operational readiness and evaluated to ensure they meet nuclear safety standards.”
Construction and installation work for Akkuyu’s first unit was completed in March. Last month, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak indicated that the unit is expected to be commissioned within the next year.
A milestone project for Türkiye’s energy future
Located in Mersin province on the Mediterranean coast, Akkuyu NPP represents Türkiye’s first venture into nuclear energy. Built under a Build-Own-Operate agreement with Russia — a first-of-its-kind model globally — the facility will eventually host four VVER-1200 generation 3+ reactors, each capable of producing 1,200 megawatts.
Once fully operational, the plant is projected to supply about 10 percent of Türkiye’s electricity needs. Each reactor is slated to come online roughly a year apart. The facility is designed for a minimum operational life of 60 years, with the possibility of a 20-year extension.
In addition to Akkuyu, Türkiye has plans to expand its nuclear portfolio with new projects in Sinop on the Black Sea coast and in the Thrace region of northwest Türkiye, aiming to achieve 20,000 megawatts of installed nuclear capacity by 2050.
