Construction of Turkish Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant nears completion, director says

Director of Construction and Production Organization at Akkuyu Nuclear AS Denis Sezemin provided an update on the progress of the first unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

"We are currently conducting the start-up, adjustment, and testing of all equipment and systems," Sezemin said, according to the Türkiye newspaper. 

Speaking to journalists after an event in Silifke, Sezemin assured that all activities at Akkuyu NPP are proceeding according to the approved project schedule.

He noted that the main construction work on the first unit has been completed, and the team is now performing the critical task of tensioning special steel cables inside the reactor containment.

"This operation is crucial as it ensures the robustness of the nuclear power unit's reactor building. Additionally, we are carrying out start-up and adjustment operations in the reactor building and other systems to ensure the plant's safe operation in the future," Sezemin said.

Highlighting the near completion of the fuel loading machine's installation in the reactor building, Sezemin added: "This machine will place the nuclear fuel into the reactor's storage pool. In the turbine building, the main components of the turbine facility have been positioned as per the design project. Currently, we are installing pipelines intended for various purposes, such as water and steam supply. A total of 3,000 tons of pipelines need to be installed."

'We are putting together the final pieces'

Sezemin emphasized the active progress in other nuclear power plant facilities, including the water preparation facility, seawater desalination plant, laboratories and other key infrastructures, many of which are nearing completion.

"All activities at Akkuyu NPP are strictly supervised by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and other independent bodies," Sezemin stated.

"If we think of the nuclear power plant as a large puzzle, we are now putting together the final pieces. As mentioned, most of the main construction and installation work in the first unit is finished, and we are currently engaged in the start-up, adjustment, and testing of all systems and equipment," he added.