Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 Nears Completion at 99%
First Unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant 99% Complete
The construction of the first unit at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Turkey has reached 99% completion. This announcement was made by Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, following an inspection of the site.
"Together with Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachyov, we inspected the work being carried out in the control room, which is the ‘brain’ of the first reactor. Its construction is 99% complete. We then held a detailed discussion and reviewed the project’s progress."
The minister visited the construction site alongside the head of Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear corporation, which is building the plant. The delegation inspected key facilities, including the central control room.
Next Step — Critical Cold and Hot Testing Phase
According to the Ministry of Energy, the project is now moving toward a crucial pre-operational phase. Rosatom will soon begin cold and hot testing of Unit 1.
This process is a mandatory procedure to check all integrated systems under conditions simulating actual operation, serving as a key step before the reactor’s physical start-up and eventual commercial operation.
Strategic Importance of the Akkuyu Project
Akkuyu NPP is a landmark project for Turkey, representing the country's first foray into nuclear energy. The plant's design and strategic role are outlined below:
- Technology: Four units with Russian-designed VVER-1200 Generation 3+ reactors.
- Capacity: 1,200 MW per unit, for a total installed capacity of 4,800 MW.
- Project Model: Build–Own–Operate (BOO) – a first-of-its-kind application in the global nuclear industry.
Once fully operational, the Akkuyu NPP is expected to be a cornerstone of Turkey's energy strategy. It will provide a stable, baseload electricity supply, significantly enhancing national energy security and reducing reliance on imported fuels.
