{"id":25158,"date":"2023-04-28T11:48:03","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T08:48:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bicakhukuk.com\/?p=25158"},"modified":"2026-07-25T17:16:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T14:16:04","slug":"nuclear-power-plant-law-in-turkey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bicakhukuk.com\/en\/nuclear-power-plant-law-in-turkey\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuclear power plant law in Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"

T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Transition to Nuclear Power<\/span><\/h3>\n

T\u00fcrkiye has considered the introduction of nuclear-generated electricity since the 1950s. The Turkish Atomic Energy Commission<\/a> was established in 1956, and Akkuyu on T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s Mediterranean coast was subsequently identified as a potential nuclear power plant site. Several earlier procurement and development initiatives did not result in construction, however, and T\u00fcrkiye remained without an operating commercial nuclear power plant for decades.\u00a0<\/span>A decisive change occurred with the agreement signed between T\u00fcrkiye and the Russian Federation on 12 May 2010 concerning the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at Akkuyu. Unlike a conventional public procurement structure, the Akkuyu project was organised around a build-own-operate model<\/strong> under which the project company would construct, own and operate the plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

The project comprises four VVER-1200 reactor units with an aggregate planned capacity of approximately 4.8 GW. Construction, regulatory approvals, commissioning preparations and power-system works have continued through successive phases. In January 2026, the project company reported completion of a connection operation intended to demonstrate the readiness of Unit 1\u2019s power-distribution system to transfer electricity. The precise date of first generation and commercial operation nevertheless remains dependent on completion of technical work, testing and regulatory authorisations.<\/span><\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s nuclear strategy now extends beyond Akkuyu. Government policy envisages more than 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050, including conventional large reactors and potentially small modular reactors. Nuclear energy is expected to contribute to energy-security, decarbonisation and T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s net-zero emissions target for 2053. <\/span>The resulting legal landscape is no longer limited to the licensing of one nuclear facility. It includes:<\/span><\/p>\n