Turkish economy to enter ‘new phase’ with launch of nuke power plant: IAEA chief

The inauguration of Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, is a watershed moment that will allow the country to enter a new phase of economic development, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Mariano Grossi on Thursday.

His remarks came during an official ceremony in Türkiye’s southern Mersin province where the country’s first nuclear power plant was granted nuclear facility status with the loading of the first nuclear fuel at the plant.

‘Occasions like this come few and far between,’ Grossi said.

He added that the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) would also usher in a new era for the country in which ‘the names of the country’s figures would be amongst those who have embraced the promise of Atoms for Peace, the promise of the peaceful use of nuclear energy.’

Grossi said the NPP would provide ‘no less than 10% of clean energy for the country’ while contributing to the economic development needed ‘to feed our economies and bring welfare to our people.’

Nevertheless, he said that nuclear energy also brings responsibility, and therefore, the IAEA has been associated with the project from the very beginning, by providing technical assistance and helping to forge the Turkish workforce that, alongside its Russian partners, will man the facility.

‘The Turkish independent regulator will have all the elements to apply the safety and security standards that are required,’ he said.

– Akkuyu NPP will transform Türkiye into ‘a peaceful nuclear country’

Alexey Likhachev, chief executive of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, for his part, congratulated both Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and hailed the joint efforts made for the successful completion of ‘the world’s largest nuclear construction project.’

According to Likhachev, the day is significant for the development of nuclear energy ties between Türkiye and Russia, and the new status of Akkuyu NPP will make Türkiye ‘a peaceful nuclear country.’

He stated that the first unit is nearly finished and that equipment installations at the Akkuyu NPP site are nearing completion.

He explained that the reactor body is being installed on the NPP’s second unit, and the core catcher is being installed on the third unit to catch the molten core and prevent it from escaping the containment building in the event of a nuclear meltdown.

Furthermore, work to reinforce the fourth reactor building’s foundation has been completed, Likhachev said.

– Over 400 Turkish companies participated in project

According to the official, over 400 Turkish companies, forming nearly a cluster, are involved in the implementation of the joint Akkuyu project between Türkiye and Russia, and the accumulated cooperation and experience have set the stage for the realization of other projects.

‘We can now say that Türkiye already has its own nuclear industry,’ he commented.

The project necessitated staff training, and approximately 300 Turkish students are pursuing advanced nuclear education at Russian universities.

As the plant’s lifespan will be no less than 100 years, Likhachev said it could endure for the 200th anniversary of the nation’s founding.

‘I am confident that it will contribute significantly to the supply of reliable, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective energy,’ he said.

• International Atomic Energy Agency