Turkey already has deals in the works with Russia and South Korea and is also open to other proposals for construction and finance of the nuclear power plant, and will assess if new proposals came from other countries
– By Stephen Heiser –
According to the Turkish energy minister, Turkey is working on construction of a nuclear power plant in the northern province of Sinop. In March, Turkey and South Korea signed a cooperation protocol to establish a nuclear energy power plant in Sinop. Turkey's Energy & Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz said Turkey reached a fruitful stage in its initiatives to construct a nuclear power plant in Sinop. South Korea recently won a high-profile contract to build a nuclear power plant in the UAE. KEPCO will install its AP1400 reactor in the UAE.
"Working groups will try to develop the agreement regarding Sinop soon," said Yildiz. "Turkey could sign an agreement with South Korea if conditions prevailed. Turkey was also open to other proposals for construction and finance of the nuclear power plant, and would assess if new proposals came from other countries."
Turkey wants to reduce its dependence on imported energy and cover a pending power demand shortfall. Russia currently provides 60 percent of Turkey’s gas, which has raised concerns that Turkey is becoming too dependent on Russia. Turkey intends to install 8,000-10,000 megawatts of nuclear power. In order to acheive this objective, Turkey will need to open both a planned nuclear power plant in Akkuyu hamlet of the southern province of Mersin and another in Sinop.
Russia and Turkey signed last week a $20 billion project for Moscow to build and own a controlling stake in Turkey’s first nuclear power plant.
The agreement was signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Turkey. Russia has built nuclear power plants in nations from China to Iran and there are talks of Russia building a nuclear power plant in Syria.
Nuclear agency chief Sergei Kiriyenko said Atomstroiexport will lead construction of the plant on Turkey’s southern coast.
“It’s an extremely important contract for us,” says Kiriyenko.