Rosatom Preparing To Start Turkiye’s Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant

Russia’s Rosatom state owned nuclear power company is preparing to start operation of the first power unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkiye, doing start-up and adjustment work and a comprehensive check of all systems. The final control stage, cold and hot break-in, is expected to be implemented in the near future before the launch of the unit, the company has said.

Rosatom’s CEO, Alexei Likhachev stated that “Last year, the first unit was ready to some 99%, 65% of the start-up work was done. We are now on the launch finishing line. Steady connection with the energy system of Turkiye has been secured. The task for this year is to perform all necessary procedures under the supervision of the Turkish and Russian regulators to prepare for the production of the first electrical power. I am confident that Turkish contractors and all divisions of the Rosatom state corporation will do everything necessary to make this year the year when Turkiye gets nuclear energy.”

The Akkuyu plant is Turkiye’s first NPP and will operate four 1,200 MW power units, with the first unit to be put into operation over the coming weeks. Russia took over the project in its entirety after Germany’s Siemens defaulted on cooperation plans due to sanctions.