‘We want to enhance cooperation with Rosatom in Sinop project,’ says energy minister

Energy Minister Bayraktar eyes enhanced cooperation with Rosatom for the Sinop nuclear project, emphasizing nuclear energy’s role in future growth

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar Monday said that Türkiye wants to enhance cooperation with Rosatom in the Sinop project.

The minister made these remarks during his speech at the International ATOMEXPO-2024 Forum in Sochi, Russia, extending condolences to those who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Moscow.

Bayraktar expressed his desire to enhance cooperation with Rosatom in the Sinop project and remarked that China and South Korea are also interested in investing in Türkiye’s nuclear market.

Recalling the United Nations Climate Summit (COP28) held in Dubai last year, where the need to triple the global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 was emphasized, Bayraktar stated: “This responsibility aligns well with our nuclear energy program.”

Highlighting Türkiye’s position as a growing country and energy market, the minister emphasized: “Our economy is growing, and we need energy to meet our industrial growth and increasing demand. In the last 20 years, our energy demand for electricity and gas has tripled. Looking to the future, we expect an average annual energy demand increase of around 4% for the next 20 years. This necessitates many changes in the electricity market.”

‘Our Goal is to Reach 7.2 Gigawatts of Nuclear Capacity by 2035’

Bayraktar also mentioned the ongoing work at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Mersin, saying: “Construction of four reactors is underway at Akkuyu, but our goal is to reach 7.2 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2035 and to have 20 gigawatts of nuclear energy production by 2050.”

“Considering Akkuyu’s 4.8 gigawatts, this means we need to build four more reactors in Sinop and another four in our Thrace region. In the next 20-30 years, we will focus on small modular reactors of around 5 gigawatts,” the minister added.

Bayraktar emphasized Türkiye’s focus on small modular reactors in the coming years, stating: “We see great potential in this area. Small modular reactors are crucial for transitioning to carbon neutrality.”

‘Nuclear is the future’

Bayraktar highlighted Türkiye’s evolving industry and human resources, saying: “Our cooperation with Rosatom and relevant private organizations abroad is improving Türkiye’s industrial development. We have a significant localization program with Rosatom, building an ecosystem for nuclear energy in Türkiye.”

He emphasized the need for global cooperation to tackle common challenges, especially in combating global warming and achieving carbon neutrality.

“Nuclear is the future. To have a better future, we need to avoid ideological debates and eliminate all artificial barriers such as trade restrictions and financial sanctions,” he added.

Source: Newsroom

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