Putin, Erdogan launch construction of Russia’s Akkuyu NPP Unit 3 in Turkey

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined via videoconference on March 10 a ceremony commemorating the start of Unit 3 construction, which was held at the site of the first Turkish nuclear power plant Akkuyu.

Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev and Akkuyu Nuclear JSC CEO Anastasia Zoteeva were present at the Akkuyu NPP site, said Rosatom which os constructing the plant.

At the ceremony, the leaders of the two countries gave permission to start construction work by pouring the first concrete into the foundation of Unit 3.

Speaking at the event, Likhachev noted that construction work was progressing rapidly. “Just three years after the Akkuyu NPP construction began, we are starting full-scale construction work on the third power unit. The project is proceeding at an unprecedented speed. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Turkish government and local officials for their comprehensive support of the project. Only through the support of the country’s leadership, Turkish industrial companies and the public, we will be able to build the nuclear power plant quickly and efficiently. The NPP will be one of the cornerstones for the country’s energy security,” he said.

For his part, Donmez noted that construction and commissioning of the plant will provide 10% of Turkey’s electricity needs. “It is also important contribution to the preservation of our ecology: nuclear power plants are a source of environmentally friendly and uninterrupted electricity. The project is a driver for the development of industry, economy, employment, and also contributes to the development of many related industries,” he said.

The construction license for Unit 3 was issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK) on November 13, 2020. Concrete is being poured onto the reinforced base of the power unit. The foundation is divided into 16 work zones, so-called sections. Concrete pouring at each section will be carried out round the clock, and a technical shelter will protect the site from precipitation. Concrete will be poured to a height of 2.6 meters; the average volume of each section will be 1,100 cubic meters, Rosatom said, adding that the total amount of concrete mixture poured into the foundation slab as part of the concrete pouring works will be 17,000 cubic meters.