Project History

Türkiye’s intention to build a nuclear power plant on its land dates back to the 1960s. In 1955, Türkiye became one of the first countries to sign the "Agreement For Cooperation Concerning Civil Uses of Atomic Energy Between the Government of Türkiye and the USA" Immediately after that, the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority was created taking the initiative for scientific and technical development of the state, and it began training personnel.

 

The first research on the creation of a nuclear power plant began in 1965.

 

In 1974, the Akkuyu site in the Gulnar district of Mersin province was considered suitable for the creation of the first nuclear power plant.

 

Until 1976, detailed land surveys were conducted there, and as a result of the observations, the site obtained a license to build a nuclear power plant.

 

After a long break due to financial and political reasons, Türkiye decided to turn to Russia's many years of experience in the field of nuclear technology.

 

Akkuyu NPP Project Development

 

2010

 

  • The countries made a joint decision that Akkuyu nuclear power plant (translated from Turkish as “white well” / “clean spring”) would be built in the Republic of Türkiye on the Mediterranean coast in the Gulnar district of Mersin. The relevant agreement was signed between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye in Ankara on May 12, 2010.

 

  • On December 13, 2010, AKKUYU NUCLEAR Joint-Stock Company was incorporated to implement the project to create the first nuclear power plant in the Republic of Türkiye.

 

2014

 

  • The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization of the Republic of Türkiye approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for Akkuyu NPP construction project.


2015

 

  • The ceremony of laying the foundation of the offshore hydraulic structures of the nuclear power plant was held.

 

  • The Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) issued AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC a preliminary license for electricity generation.

 

  • A contract was signed with the Turkish company Cengiz İnşaat to design and build the offshore hydraulic engineering structures of the nuclear power plant.

 

2017

 

  • Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) approved the design parameters for the Akkuyu NPP site.

 

  • Energy Market Regulatory Authority issued AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC a license to generate electricity valid until June 15, 2066 (49 years).

  

  • Turkish Atomic Energy Authority issued a limited work permit to AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC which was a significant step on the way to the NPP Construction License.

 

  • A solemn ceremony of construction commencement took place at the Akkuyu NPP site within the framework of the limited work permit (LWP). Under the LWP, construction and installation work was started at all facilities of the nuclear power plant, except for buildings and structures related to the safety of the "nuclear island".


2018

 

  • On April AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC received the full status of a strategic investor in the Republic of Türkiye. An updated strategic investment certificate was issued based on the law on the status of "Strategic Investment", that had entered into force on March 27, 2018. The status of a strategic investor provides for tax and customs benefits.

 

  • Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) granted AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC the main construction license to build Power Unit 1.

 

  • On April 3, 2018, a solemn ceremony of pouring “first concrete” into the foundation of the first power unit of Akkuyu NPP was held with the participation of the Presidents of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Türkiye via videoconference from Ankara. The ceremony became an official kick-off of full-scale construction work on Unit 1.

 

  • TAEK issued AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC a limited work permit for the construction of Power Unit 2 of Akkuyu NPP.

 

2019

 

  • Excavation works of the foundation pit for the facilities of Power Unit 2beganwithin the framework of the received LWP.

 

  • Concreting of the foundation of the reactor building of Power Unit No. 1 was completed. Package of documents was sent to TAEK to obtain the construction license for Power Unit 3 of Akkuyu NPP.

 

  • In May 2019 the construction of the Eastern (Vostochny) Cargo Terminal was completed, and the Ministry of Transport, Shipping and Communications of the Republic of Türkiye gave the permission for its operation. The terminal is designed to receive bulky cargoes, building materials and equipment, including components of reactor facilities, at the construction stages and further during the operation of the nuclear power plant.

 

  • AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC was issued the main construction license for Power Unit 2 of Akkuyu NPP by the decision of the Board of the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK).

 

  • An agreement was signed to connect Akkuyu NPP to the power grid of the Republic of Türkiye between AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC and the Turkish Electricity Transmission Joint-Stock Company (TEİAŞ). The conclusion of this agreement will enable AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC and TEİAŞ to commence full-scale work on the Akkuyu NPP grid integration scheme to be comprised of 6 high-voltage transmission lines to connect Akkuyu NPP to the power grid of Türkiye.

 

2020

 

  • On April 8The construction of Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 was officially started, the foundation plate of the reactor building was laid.

 

  • The drilling and blasting works planned within the scope of the foundation pit for the construction of nuclear island facilities in the construction area of Unit 3 started.

  

  • The application documents required for obtaining the construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 was submitted to the NDK.

 

  • Second tier of internal containment shell was installed at Akkuyu NPP Unit 1.

 

  • Core catcher for Unit 2 delivered to Akkuyu NPP site.

 

  • Reactor pressure vessel dry shielding, a safety component providing reliable NPP operation in emergencies including earthquakes of intensity up to 9 points, was installed at Unit 1.

 

  • Concrete pouring of two buildings’ foundation slabs completed at Akkuyu NPP Unit 2. Four steam generators for Unit 1 delivered to Akkuyu NPP site.

  

  • Equipment of major importance for Unit 1 – the reactor pressure vessel – delivered to Akkuyu NPP site, having covered a distance of 3,000 kilometers.

 

  • Installation of the core catcher vessel into design position completed in the reactor building of Unit 2.

 

  • The Board of Nuclear Regulatory Authority approved the issue of construction license for Unit 3 in favor of AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC.

 

  • The first tier of the internal containment shell (ICS) was installed on Unit 2. The inner containment is one of the key elements of the containment safety system of the reactor compartment. It ensures imperviousness inside the reactor building under any operating conditions of the nuclear power plant. Support truss, which is one of the most important elements of the reactor shaft equipment, installed on Unit 1. Elements of the reactor shaft equipment of the Unit 2 were delivered to the construction site.

 

2021

 

  • A solemn ceremony dedicated to the start of construction of Akkuyu NPP Unit 3 of the took place on 10 of March. The ceremony was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan via videoconference. The event was held at Akkuyu NPP site with the participation of Energy and Natural Resources Minister of Türkiye Fatih Dönmez, Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC CEO Anastasia Zoteeva and other officials. The leaders of the two countries launched the laying of the "first concrete" in the foundation of Unit 3.

 

  • First heavy component of the turbine set for Unit 1 delivered to Akkuyu NPP site.

 

  • Unit 1 reactor pressure vessel installation is completed at Akkuyu NPP construction site. Installation of the reactor vessel is carried out using the "Open Top" technology.

 

  • Third and fourth tiers of the internal containment shell installed at Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 reactor building.

 

  • Preparations for the construction of Unit 4 started at Akkuyu NPP site.

 

  • Second tier of internal containment shell and main elements of reactor shaft, including support truss and thrust truss, installed on Akkuyu NPP Unit 2.

 

  • The Board of Nuclear Regulatory Authority approved the issue of construction license for Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 to AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC.

 

  • Construction of the foundation slab for the pump station of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 began.

 

2022

 

  • Fifth and sixth tier of the containment installed at the reactor Akkuyu NPP Unit 1.

 

  • A set of 4 steam generators for Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 was delivered to the East Cargo Terminal.

 

  • Welding of the reactor coolant pipeline at Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 has been completed.

 

  • The first large-size equipment - a core catcher - is installed in the reactor building of Unit 3 of the Akkuyu NPP.

 

  • On July 21, 2022, a ceremony was held to mark the start of construction of Unit 4. The Akkuyu NPP project has entered its peak construction phase.

 

  • The reactor pressure vessel is installed at Unit 2 of the Akkuyu NPP.

 

  • The pressure compensator has been installed at Unit 1 of the Akkuyu NPP.

 

  • The sixth layer of the inner containment has been installed at Unit 1.

 

  • The second layer of inner containment was installed at Unit 3.

 

  • A temporary desalination plant has started operating at the Akkuyu NPP construction site.

 

  • An overhead crane was installed at the turbine hall of Unit 1.

 

  • There was a flushing of process systems to the open reactor at Unit 1.

 

  • The inner containment dome has been installed in the Reactor Building of Unit 1.

 

Work at the construction site of the power plant is being performed in compliance with all the Turkish, Russian and international quality and safety requirements, under the constant supervision of AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC, independent inspection organizations such as the French company Assystem, Bureau Veritas, Turkish Institute of Standards (TSE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NDK).

 

The project of the first nuclear power plant in Türkiye includes four power units equipped with the state-of-the art Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors with a total capacity of 4800 megawatts. It is planned that after the construction is completed, Akkuyu NPP will produce about 35 billion kWh per year, providing approximately 10% of Türkiye's electricity needs.

 

This is a series nuclear power plant design based on Novovoronezh NPP-2 (Voronezh Region, Russia). The estimated service life of Akkuyu NPP is 60 years with possibility of extension for another 20 years, which paves the way for development of the region in the long run, providing jobs and access to a stable source of green electricity for residents of Türkiye and enterprises of the Turkish economy for many years to come.

 

The Akkuyu NPP construction project is the world's first NPP project implemented according to the BOO model (Build - Own - Operate). This means that the operating company is responsible not only for the design and construction, but also for the maintenance, operation and decommissioning of the station. Such a model, among other things, is an additional guarantee of construction quality, since the company of the industry will also operate it in the future.

 

The nuclear power plant construction project is the largest joint venture between Russia and Türkiye.