Turkey begins construction of first nuclear power plant
Turkey on 14 April 2015 began the construction of its first nuclear power plant located at Akkuyu in Mersin province on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
It will be built by Akkuyu Project Company, a subsidiary of Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom.
Key Facts
- In 2010, Turkey and Russia had signed an agreement to set up $20 billion Akkuyu nuclear project.
- Akkuyu Project Company will own, build and operate the plant that comprises four 1,200 MW VVER units.
- The site was chosen at Akkuyu by Turkish government because it has low population density and low risk of earthquakes.
It should be noted that Akkuyu nuclear plant is the first of three nuclear power plants planned by Turkey. Second plant is due to be built in the Black Sea city of Sinop by a French-Japanese consortium and third plant’s location is not finalised yet.
With these nuclear plants, Turkish government is aiming to bring greater energy self-sufficiency by reducing its dependence on energy imports from like Russia and Iran.
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Month: Current Affairs - April, 2015