Türkiye’s first Akkuyu nuclear reactor to begin operations by end of 2026

Türkiye’s first Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant unit is expected to become operational by the end of 2026, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced.

“The testing phase has begun on the plant’s first power unit, one of four reactors, each with an installed capacity of 1,200 MW,” the minister said. He added that work is also continuing on the other reactors.

Once the first unit comes online, nuclear power will meet around 2–2.5% of Türkiye’s electricity demand. With all four units operational, that figure is expected to reach 10%.

The minister also noted plans to establish a data center at the plant site alongside the construction of the third and fourth units.

Construction of the plant began in 2018. It will comprise four Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 MW. The project is being implemented by Akkuyu Nuclear, a subsidiary of Rosatom.

By Jeyhun Aghazada