Turkish parliament OKs nuclear construction

subscribe

Turkey's parliament approved a bill allowing for the construction of nuclear power plants in the country, despite opposition from environmental groups.

The measure — setting out the legal framework for the plants and the sale of the energy they produce — was first passed in parliament earlier this year, but was blocked by then President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

Legislators re-approved the bill, overriding Sezer's veto.

The government has said it plans to build three nuclear power plants by 2015 to meet the country's growing energy needs. Turkey has limited energy resources, relying on natural gas supplies from Iran and Russia.

Earlier this year, thousands held protests in the Black Sea coastal city of Sinop after the government announced the region was chosen as a location for the country's first nuclear reactor. Environmental groups are pressing the government to seek alternative energy sources.

The bill allows the government to launch tenders for the construction of the plants, establish a state company to run the plants and to allocate shares to private sector companies.

The measure will come into effect after approval by current President Abdullah Gul, who replaced Sezer in August.

Turkey first announced plans to build a reactor in 1996, but the project was put on hold because of financial problems and the chosen location, near the Mediterranean coast, was close to an earthquake-prone region.

Related News

Three New Solar Electricity Facilities in Alberta Contracted At Lower Cost than Natural Gas

CALGARY - Three new solar electricity facilities to be built in south eastern Alberta (Canada) have been selected through a competitive process to supply the Government of Alberta with 55 per cent of their annual electricity needs. The facilities will be built near Hays, Tilley, and Jenner, by Canadian Solar with Conklin Métis Local #193 as 50-percent equity owners.

The Government of Alberta's operations have been powered 100 per cent with wind electricity since 2007. Upon the expiration of some of these contracts, they have been renewed to switch from wind to solar energy. The average contract pricing will be $0.048 per kilowatt…

READ MORE
bill gates

Bill Gates’ Nuclear Startup Unveils Mini-Reactor Design Including Molten Salt Energy Storage

READ MORE

eskom powerlines

South Africa's Eskom could buy less power from wind farms during lockdown

READ MORE

net zero power grid

Can Canada actually produce enough clean electricity to power a net-zero grid by 2050?

READ MORE

maine hydro lines

New England takes key step to 1.2 GW of Quebec hydro as Maine approves transmission line

READ MORE