Valentin Mezhevich, first vice chairman of Committee on Natural Monopolies of Federation Council

– Agreements in energy sector will raise Russian-Turkish relations to a new level

On Aug 6 2009 Director General of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation Sergey Kiriyenko and Acting Director of the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (Turkiye Atom Enerjisi Kurumu, TAEK) Zafer Alper signed two inter-governmental agreements: an agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy and an agreement for early notification of nuclear accident and exchange of information on nuclear facilities. The agreements were signed in the framework of the visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Turkey.

The agreements in the energy sector signed during the visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to Turkey will raise Russian-Turkish relations to a new level. I first of all mean the agreement for cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy as it will pave the way for joint nuclear projects, particularly, the project to build the first nuclear power plant in Turkey.

It is very important that the service for the construction of the will be provided by Russian-Turkish consortium comprising Atomstroyexport, Inter RAO UES and Park Teknik. Now that Russia and Turkey have agreed on the price of the energy to be produced by the plant, we can say that Turkey has reconfirmed its commitment to develop nuclear energy in cooperation with the Russian nuclear industry whose projects and technologies are highly reputed worldwide. The negotiations are not over yet — the parties are considering ways to reduce the costs — but the last meetings in Ankara have shown that they are moving forward.

In 2007 the Turkish authorities decided to diversify the country’s energy sector and to develop nuclear energy (NPPs in Akkuyu in Antalia and in Sinop, Black Sea shore).

In Mar 2008 Turkey announced a tender for the right to build its first nuclear power plant in Akkuyu on “build-own-operate” terms. The potential supplier should ensure financing, construction and operation, while Turkey – licensing and guaranteed purchase of electric energy for 15 years till the end of 2030.

A consortium of Russian Atomstroyexport, Inter RAO UES and Turkish Park Teknik offered to build four 1,200MW reactors and to sell its energy at a fixed price for 15 years and at a market price afterwards. The 1st unit is supposed to be launched in 2016, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th units in 2017, 2018 and 2019. 

The Consortium’s NPP-2006 project was approved by TAEK Dec 19 2009.