The first nuclear power plant in Turkey, Akkuyu, is being built on the Mediterranean coast, Mersin province. The Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bolat Akchulakov and Chief Executive Officer of Samruk-Kazyna JSC Almassadam Satkaliyev have arrived at the site of the largest energy construction site as part of the delegation from Kazakhstan.

The Turkish mega-project is being implemented using Russian technology. The construction of the Akkuyu NPP was designated in May 2010. The project provides for the construction of four power units equipped with 3+ generation water-water energetic reactors (WWER-1200) with a total capacity of 4 800 MW. It is planned that after commissioning, the NPP will generate about 35 billion kW of energy per year.

The Akkuyu NPP construction project in Turkey is the world’s first NPP project implemented under the BOO (Build-Own-Operate) model. The project company AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC has committed itself to the design, construction, maintenance, operation and decommissioning of the plant as part of the long-term contract. The total cost of the project, all expenses for the implementation of which are covered by the project company, is about USD20 billion. Potentially, the volume of localized products, that is, the total amount of orders for the Turkish industry, will amount to USD6.5 billion, this is investment in the construction and related sectors of the economy.

At the moment, the site for the NPP is not only construction, but also production one. Workshops and enterprises for the production of necessary building materials, welding of large parts are located here, a port has been built to receive ships with large displacement for the delivery of bulky cargo. Currently, 20 thousand people are employed at the construction stage of the project, 80% of them are Turkish citizens. About 4 thousand people will be involved during the operation period. Young Turkish engineers receive higher education in nuclear energy in Russia.

Supply of materials and equipment for the NPP under construction are the result of large-scale international cooperation. Most of the long-cycle manufacturing equipment for four power units of the Akkuyu NPP, including reactors, steam generators, and main circulation pumps, is manufactured at Russian enterprises that are part of the Rosatom machine-building division circuit. Other world manufacturers’ equipment is also used. Turkish manufacturers, subject to the availability of the necessary certificates, provide supply of ventilation and heat exchange equipment, pumps, pressure vessels. The independent international company carries out the control.

The NPP of the latest 3+ generation are distinguished by heavy security. The NPP is being constructed considering all possible impacts: risks of fires, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters are anticipated, among others. The external protection will withstand the fall of aircraft on the power units of the station.