Akkuyu NPP to contribute $50 bln to Turkey's GDP - Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey’s GDP will increase by $50 bln with with the commissioning of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant.

"This plant, which will produce 35 billion kWh of electricity per year, will save our country from importing 7 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. It will also reduce carbon emissions by 35 million tons per year. Akkuyu's contribution to our GDP will total $50 billion," Erdogan said.

According to him, Turkey needs to include nuclear energy in its energy portfolio.

The Turkish leader also stressed that the resistance to the construction of the NPP on the part of some circles can only be explained by malice, if not ignorance.

The Akkuyu NPP in Turkey's Mersin province aims to begin operations in 2026.