Türkiye plans over 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by end of 2050

By Zeynep Beyza Kilic

Another phase of Türkiye’s nuclear energy path has emerged with the aim of adding over 20 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy capacity to its energy mix by the end of 2050.

During the 67th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) via video message on Monday, Alparslan Bayraktar, the country’s energy and natural resources minister, detailed that this aim would be achieved through the targeted addition of 7.2 GW of nuclear capacity by the end of 2035.

He affirmed that nuclear energy would play a vital role in reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2053 as a priority for the development of the nation’s sustainable energy.

He said that Türkiye aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources as well as continue its efforts to include nuclear power in its energy mix as a base load clean source of power. This will not only involve conventional large-scale nuclear power plants but also small modular reactors (SMR).

“We've been following the developments of SMR, and we would like to include them in our energy mix," Bayraktar said.

The country's first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 4.8 GW, Akkuyu, is currently under construction. The first of the plant's four planned reactors is scheduled to be put into service by the end of 2024.

"I would also like to emphasize our dedication to work closely with the IAEA to support the highest standards in nuclear safety, security and safeguards to promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology," Bayraktar said.

Türkiye is now a party to all international conventions in the nuclear safety and security field and submits compliance reports on a regular basis.