Turkish minister calls for lifting sanctions on nuclear technology

Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resource Minister, Alparslan Bayraktar attended the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, via video message. Referring to Türkiye’s national energy strategy in his video message, Bayraktar emphasized that nuclear energy is inevitable in this direction.

Minister Bayraktar noted that they see nuclear energy as part of a better future and said, “Therefore, we emphasize that all barriers such as trade and financial restrictions and sanctions against the sector should be removed.”

Call for removal of sanctions against nuclear sector

In his video message, Bayraktar emphasized the importance of nuclear energy in achieving global sustainability goals and Türkiye’s commitment to expanding its nuclear capacity.

Noting that they advocate nuclear energy as part of a better future, Bayraktar said, “Therefore, we emphasize that all barriers, such as trade and financial restrictions and sanctions against the sector, must be removed. These barriers not only slow down technological progress and economic development, but also delay our ability to achieve global sustainability goals.”

He added, “It is essential that international policies support, rather than hinder, the responsible development and deployment of nuclear energy.”

“Türkiye is fully committed to peaceful use of nuclear energy”

“Türkiye remains fully committed to the goal of ensuring the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy and will continue to cooperate closely with the IAEA,” Bayraktar said.

Explaining that the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) will have a total capacity of 4.8 gigawatts with its four reactors, and that the second and third sites are planned to be commissioned later, Bayraktar said, “We aim to commission 20 gigawatts of nuclear power plants, including small modular reactors, by 2050.”

Pointing out that Türkiye’s electricity demand is expected to increase by 4 percent in the next 20 years, Bayraktar said, “To meet this increasing demand, Türkiye will prioritize more power generation from renewable sources and nuclear energy will be added as a key element to our energy diversity.”

Akkuyu NPP and Germany’s sanctions

Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant project faced delays in 2023 when Siemens Energy, a major German company, withheld crucial parts needed for the first reactor. This was attributed to German export regulations, likely tied to sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Some key facts: 

• Siemens’ stance: Export licenses for the parts had not been issued. 
• Bayraktar’s remarks: Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar expressed concerns that the decision was political, and not based on legal grounds. 
• Germany’s position: While no direct statement was provided by German authorities, the delay is seen as linked to broader European sanctions. 

Siemens spokesperson recently pointed the German government and said, “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,”

Türkiye’s partner in the Akkuyu NPP, the first nuclear power plant Rosatom has ordered the required materials from China after following the delays from German Siemens.