Hasan Selim Ozertem, expert of International Strategic Research Organization (Turkey)

– Cooperation with Russia is the best option for Turkey in its aspiration to build an NPP

Nuclear power engineering is a promising field of cooperation between our countries. Russia is the biggest partner Turkey can find in its field. For the moment, cooperation with Russia is the best option for Turkey in its aspiration to build a nuclear power plant.

The Turkish authorities have already approved the technical aspect of the Russian offer and are presently considering the price. For the moment Russia and Turkey enjoy quite favorable relations and I think that the parties will find a compromise and this project will be realized. This is really important. The Turkish Prime Minister has said that nuclear energy is vital for energy security of Turkey and the development of its power technologies. That’s why we are trying to find a mutually beneficial solution but, because of the present financial crisis, this may quire some more time. 

In any case, we have very good prospects for cooperation. Turkey regards Russia as a partner in many other fields. Partnership in the nuclear and other sectors will help to strengthen our relations. In this light, the agreements reached in the nuclear field can be considered as an effort to reinforce our economic cooperation as a whole.
 
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.

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.