- Turkey seeks to reduce Russian control over the $25 billion Akkuyu nuclear plant amid economic, technical, and security concerns.
- Ankara accelerates talks with Canada, China, and South Korea to diversify nuclear partnerships and avoid future dependency.
- Lawmakers raise alarms over high tariffs, low local participation, and safety risks at the Rosatom-led facility.
Turkey is working to reduce Russia’s control over the Akkuyu nuclear project and speed up talks with new international partners to prevent energy dependence and future security risks.
Russian state-owned firm Rosatom owns 99% of the USD 25 billion Akkuyu project through its subsidiary Akkuyu Nükleer A.Ş. Lawmakers in the Turkish Parliament have raised strong concerns about this near-total control and its impact on national interests.
They criticised the high electricity tariff agreed with Rosatom—12.35 US cents per kilowatt-hour for 15 years. This figure far exceeds domestic and international market rates. Lawmakers warned that the pricing could strain Turkey’s economy.
Turkey allowed only 25–30% of contracts to go to local companies. Lawmakers said this weak local participation limits domestic technical development and deepens foreign reliance.
Technical problems have also slowed the project. Siemens, the original German equipment supplier, failed to meet delivery targets. In response, Rosatom turned to Chinese firms for replacements. Lawmakers said this shift raised new concerns about technological independence.
Since 2011, Russia has trained 319 Turkish engineers. While this added to local expertise, lawmakers argued it further locked Turkey into Russian nuclear standards.
MP Mehmet Tahtasız criticised the lack of infrastructure for managing radioactive waste. MP Mahmut Tanal demanded stronger seismic safeguards. He pointed out that the Akkuyu site lies in an earthquake-prone region, increasing the plant’s risk level.
Turkish officials have not invoked Article 5 of the 2010 Russia-Turkey nuclear agreement despite these warnings. The clause allows Turkey to reclaim up to 49% of Akkuyu’s shares for national security reasons. Officials continue to classify Akkuyu as a Turkish commercial project under national law. However, they have not used their participation rights.
Ankara has opened talks with new partners to prevent similar risks in future plants. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed ongoing negotiations with Canada’s Candu Energy, South Korean firms, and Chinese companies.
Talks with China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) have advanced for the planned nuclear plant in Thrace. Turkish officials also met with CNOS and CATL to explore new investment models and nuclear technologies. These talks form part of a broader effort to break free from Russia’s grip on Turkey’s nuclear program.
Turkey wants to install 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050. Officials need multiple global partners and stronger local involvement to meet this goal.
The Akkuyu plant is set to begin operations by late 2025. Analysts say the coming months will determine whether Turkey can shift course. Government actions now will shape foreign involvement in the country’s nuclear future.