Turkey to build first nuclear power station with Russia

Originally planned to generate 3,000 megawatts MW of power, construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power station in Turkey was delayed in 1999 and then cancelled in 2000. In 2006, the project was reinstated and then delayed again. Now that plans seem to be back in full swing, the Akkuyu power station is planned to have a 4,800-MW capacity when the facility is completed in 2021.

CJSC Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of Rosatom in Moscow, Russia, will be responsible for direction of the project in association with the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. The project now has an estimated total investment value of $20 billion.

CJSC Atomstroyexport is anticipating construction to begin in 2013, and Unit 1 is expected to be commissioned in 2018. Units 2, 3 and 4 will follow in subsequent years. The Akkuyu power station, to be located near Mersin, will be Turkey's first nuclear power station.

Rosatom is also currently working with Kuwait and Vietnam on those countries' nuclear plans. Vietnam expects to have its first nuclear power station fully commissioned by 2020 with a capacity of 4,000 MW. Kuwait is starting small with a 1,000-MW power station that is expected to be completed by 2022.

IIR is currently tracking 95 nuclear power projects throughout Asia and the Middle East, representing more than $304 billion in total investment value. Most activity is focused in China, which leads Asia with 47 nuclear power projects, accounting for about $150 billion. Japan follows with 20 projects.