Bayraktar: Türkiye needs eight more reactors

Türkiye’s energy system needs eight more large-capacity reactors and 5 GW of small nuclear power plants, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 (SPIEF).

“In addition to Akkuyu, the four reactors that we are successfully building together with Rosatom, Türkiye needs an additional eight reactors and at least 5 gigawatts of small modular reactors,” he said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media. 

Rosatom is constructing the first nuclear power plant in Türkiye, Akkuyu, in the Mersin province. The plant will consist of four power units, each with a capacity of 1200 MW. It was previously reported that Türkiye is considering projects to build two more nuclear power plants — in the provinces of Sinop and Thrace.

The Akkuyu plant, currently under construction in the southern province of Mersin, is Türkiye’s first nuclear power facility. 

Once operational, the Akkuyu plant is projected to meet 10 per cent of Türkiye's electricity needs. Ankara aims to construct two additional full-scale nuclear plants along with small modular reactors, targeting a total nuclear power generation capacity of 20,000MW by 2050. The country has engaged in discussions with Russia, China, and South Korea regarding these future projects.  

By Sabina Mammadli