Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear power plant moves to testing phase

The first unit of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey is currently in its testing phase, with officials aiming to begin electricity production by the end of 2026. Turkish Minister of Energy Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that work is ongoing across all four reactor units, while plans are being considered to integrate a data center with the third and fourth units.

Located in the Akkuyu region, north of Cyprus, the plant consists of four reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts. Upon completion, it is expected to generate approximately 35 billion kilowatt-hours annually, satisfying nearly 10% of Turkey's total electricity demand, equivalent to the consumption of Istanbul. The project currently employs about 23,000 workers and involves over 400 Turkish companies. Although the initial budget was set at $20 billion, Minister Bayraktar indicated that costs have exceeded this figure. The facility is being constructed by the Russian state corporation Rosatom and is designed for an operational lifespan of 60 years, with the possibility of a 20-year extension.