Key reactor components installed at Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Türkiye
The main components of the reactor shaft have been assembled in the 4th power unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) under construction in Gulnar district of Mersin. (AA Photo)
Major construction progress has been made at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Mersin’s Gulnar district in Türkiye.
The reactor shaft’s main components for the plant’s fourth power unit were successfully installed, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC announced.
Installation milestone for fourth power unit
The installation included the reactor’s dry shielding and support beam, which were positioned in their designated locations within the reactor building.
These components are critical for the unit’s operation and safety, with the dry shielding designed to ensure the plant’s reliability during extreme conditions, including earthquakes measuring up to 9.0 on the MSK-64 scale.
Complex installation process
The eight-hour operation involved heavy-duty crawler cranes to mount the reactor shaft equipment.
The support beam, crucial for securing the reactor vessel within the concrete shaft, also serves to protect it from external influences.
Additional work on the reactor shaft continues, including consolidation, concreting voids, and installing measurement channels.
Expert commentary on progress
Akkuyu Nuclear General Manager Sergei Butckikh highlighted the significance of this milestone. “This type of installation requires highly skilled personnel and detailed calculations. Drawing on experience from previous units, the team completed this task on time,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing intensive efforts to complete the fourth unit.
