Boris Shmelev, Director of Center for Comparative Political Studies

– Russia is actively strengthening its positions on the international nuclear market

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.

Russia is actively strengthening its positions on the international nuclear market. Today, it is one of the key players on this market: it builds and maintains nuclear power plants and supplies them with fuel. The signing of the agreements with Turkey is part of this tendency. I would like to note that any agreements concerning the construction and maintenance of nuclear power plants require high level of mutual political confidence. These are long-term deals and they confirm the high level of Russian-Turkish relations. And these agreements can be raised to an even higher level. Such contracts are not only good for Russia’s international reputation, they are quite profitable: Russia may earn quite big money on this market. So, I can only welcome this deal.
 
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.