Turkey interested in small nuclear reactors, Russia ready to offer its own solution

MOSCOW. Oct 11 (Interfax) - Turkey, whose first nuclear power plant, the Akkuyu NPP, is currently under construction, is also interested in small nuclear reactors, the country's Energy Minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, said in a speech at Russian Energy Week-2023.

Currently, Rosatom is building Turkey's first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, in Mersin province. The station will consist of four power units with a capacity of 1200 MW each. The cost of the new NPP project is about $22 billion. The nuclear power plant is scheduled to start operating in 2024.

In his speech, Bayraktar confirmed Turkey's interest in new stations, as well as Rosatom's readiness to participate in these projects.

Alexei Likhachev, head of the state Rosatom concern told Interfax on the sidelines of Russian Energy Week that the company was ready to offer its small nuclear power plants to Turkey. "Yes, [small nuclear power plants are being discussed] with them. They haven't decided anything yet, they will decide what they need. And we are now more than happy to submit a proposal and explain to our Turkish friends the specifics of using small nuclear power plants," he said. In general, regarding small nuclear power plants, "negotiations are ongoing, the number of interested parties is increasing," Likhachev said.

Earlier it was reported that Turkey is considering two more nuclear power plant construction projects in the provinces of Sinop and Trakia. Studies are complete at the site of the second nuclear power plant, and negotiations are underway with both South Korea and Russia.

The construction of the third nuclear power plant is being discussed with China. In addition, Turkey is in close contact with American, British and French companies with regard to small modular reactors. The location for a fourth nuclear power plant is being determined as well, local media reported.