Akkuyu NPP first power unit to be launched in 2026

The first power unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is 95% complete, Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said on Kanal 7.

He noted that the work was initially planned to be completed by April 2025, but delays occurred due to the pandemic and political obstacles related to the procurement of certain equipment.

"At present, all our efforts are focused on completing the construction of the first reactor. The work is now about 95% finished, and the start of electricity generation is planned for 2026. We are working closely in this direction with Russia and the Rosatom company," Alparslan Bayraktar said.

He noted that the 1,200-megawatt reactor we are building at Akkuyu will generate roughly the same amount of electricity as a 5,000-megawatt solar plant.

"Sunlight is not always available. In addition to wind and solar energy, we need conventional power plants that can provide uninterrupted electricity. Nuclear energy must be a priority on this list,” Alparslan Bayraktar said.

According to the minister, Türkiye aims to boost its wind and solar installed capacity to 120,000 megawatts by 2035, requiring 8,000 to 9,000 megawatts of new plants annually.