Last week, Adana hosted a major conference that could shape Turkiye’s future industrial strategy. Organized with the support of Türkiye Nükleer Enerji A.Ş. (TÜNAŞ), the Turkey Nuclear Business Platform brought together public and private sector representatives, international firms, and nuclear experts to discuss Turkiye’s advancements and strategic vision in nuclear energy. This two-day event provided valuable insights into the country's nuclear energy projects and prospects.
One of the most anticipated sessions featured TÜNAŞ General Manager Necati Yamaç, who provided updates on Turkiye's upcoming nuclear projects in Sinop and Thrace. He noted that negotiations for the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant are ongoing with Russia and South Korea, while talks for a third plant in Thrace are in progress with Chinese firms. The potential for a Russo-Korean collaboration in Sinop, similar to Egypt’s El Dabaa project, sparked considerable debate among participants throughout the day.
Regional Center of Excellence and Localization at Akkuyu
Another significant development presented at the conference was TÜNAŞ’s goal, in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to establish a Regional Center of Excellence in Turkey by 2026-2027. Hakan Hatipoğlu, representing the Ministry of Energy, shared recent statistics on the localization efforts in the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project, noting that the targeted $6.5 billion localization goal had been reached by the second half of 2024. He added that Turkish and Russian authorities are in talks to raise this target even further, highlighting the precision and commitment shown by both the Ministry and TÜNAŞ to maximize Turkish firm involvement.
Turkish Companies’ Role Abroad and SMR Goals
Another notable announcement was that Turkish firm NÜTED had taken on the inspection work for Hungary’s Paks II Nuclear Power Plant. This milestone underscores the advancement of Turkish industry in the nuclear sector, as companies expand their services internationally. Day two of the conference saw significant discussions on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with Turkiye setting a target of generating 5 GW of power from SMRs by 2050. Discussions with U.S. firm Last Energy indicated a promising future for SMR projects in Turkey.
International Partnerships and the Potential U.S. Involvement in Turkish Nuclear Projects
U.S. Commercial Attaché Etienne LeBailly’s remarks on nuclear collaboration brought up the possibility of Americans participating in the Sinop project. This potential development could pave the way for global technology and financial giants to engage in Turkiye's nuclear ventures.
Site Visit to BETA ENERJİ’s New Facilities
The event’s social program included a well-attended technical tour of BETA ENERJİ's new manufacturing facility in Adana. Attended by representatives from the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and various international firms, the visit showcased Turkiye’s capacity in electromechanical equipment manufacturing. BETA ENERJİ’s 120,000-square-meter facility is a significant step toward positioning Turkiye as a regional production hub in the nuclear industry.
Turkey’s Vision for Its Nuclear Industry
The announcements and discussions at the conference highlighted Turkiye's rapid progress toward becoming a regional production hub in nuclear energy. The vision presented by both the Ministry of Energy and TÜNAŞ to establish Turkiye as a key nuclear industry player resonates with international stakeholders. Statements from representatives of global firms like KEPCO and China’s SPIC further underscored the feasibility of Turkey’s nuclear ambitions.
The Turkiye Nuclear Business Platform left a lasting impression as an event that spotlighted Turkey’s nuclear strategy, international collaborations, and the global role of Turkish companies in the nuclear sector. Participants expressed enthusiasm about Turkey’s goals to strengthen its position in nuclear energy and integrate nuclear power into its broader development strategy.
Following the conference, attendees and speakers participated in a TÜNAŞ-organized site visit to observe progress at Turkiye's first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu NPP, providing a hands-on view of this milestone project.
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