Siemens blames German government for delays in Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant

Siemens Energy has responded to statements by Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar that delays in delivering critical components for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) have slowed construction.

Siemens stated that the German government’s restrictions on exports to Russia are responsible for the delays, not the company.

Turkish minister holds Siemens responsible for Akkuyu NPP delays

Minister Bayraktar had earlier indicated that Siemens’ failure to provide key equipment has pushed the Akkuyu NPP project back by several months. Bayraktar emphasized that the missing parts – critical to the plant’s nuclear operations – have hindered progress, stressing that this delay should have financial and legal consequences.

The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), located in Mersin, was designed to produce 4,800 megawatts (MW) of power from four reactors. Key milestones in the project include: 

• 2013: Construction of the plant began. 
• 2018: Significant acceleration in construction efforts. 
• 2023: Nuclear fuel loaded into the first power unit, with a planned startup in late 2023. 

The project, valued at $20 billion, aims to produce 10% of Türkiye’s electricity once completed by 2028. 

Siemens points to German export restrictions as reason for delay

Siemens Energy acknowledged the delay but pointed to export controls imposed by the German government.

“We have complied with export rules, but for nearly a year, we have been unable to deliver certain components for the Akkuyu project because of a lack of export and customs clearance,” a Siemens spokesperson told DW Turkish.

The company underscored that it had delivered some equipment earlier and is waiting for approval on further shipments.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany imposed stricter regulations on exports linked to Russian entities, affecting many sectors, including energy.

Siemens refrained from commenting on the specific equipment withheld or the reasons behind the export license denials.

Alternatives sourced from China as Türkiye faces several months’ delay in project timeline

In response to the delay, Bayraktar stated that alternative supplies have already been sourced by Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom.

Rosatom has ordered the required materials from China. Although the delays are not expected to stop the project.

“There is a political decision made on a matter that has no legal basis, which has led to this situation,” Bayraktar said.

“Siemens is one of the companies we’ve worked with for many years, but this situation has brought us to a point where we need to seriously question their presence here.” Bayraktar also said recently.

President Erdogan also commented on the issue and said: “On the other hand, we’re facing issues with Germany regarding turbines for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which are currently stuck at German customs. I raised this with Chancellor Olaf Scholz during our meeting. We need to resolve delays with our Eurofighter Typhoon request, turbine issue, and frigate equipment purchases. We’ll monitor the situation closely.”

Rosatom’s Director General, Alexey Likhachev, previously blamed American sanctions for hindering the project, stating that the U.S. had frozen $25 billion earmarked for Akkuyu.

“Payment system is under attack. They are seizing money. They, meaning the Americans who are going between our legal entities, between our banks. And a lot of other things are being affected as well,” Likhachev said.