Ashgabat: Russia and Trkiye have advanced discussions on their pivotal bilateral projects, with particular attention directed towards the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, as reported by the press service of the Russian President. The discussions unfolded during an expanded-format meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, convened on the sidelines of the International Forum of Neutrality in Turkmenistan.
According to Trend News Agency, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project emerged as a central topic of the dialogue. It is recognized as the largest bilateral energy initiative between Russia and Trkiye and stands as Trkiye’s inaugural nuclear power facility. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the remaining stages of the project, emphasizing its significance for Turkey’s long-term energy security.
The meeting agenda also included a comprehensive review of ongoing economic cooperation across sectors such as transportation, industry, and energy, all of which are progressing despite a challenging global context. Officials noted that the multifaceted nature of Russian-Turkish collaboration has played a crucial role in ensuring stability in trade flows and investment activities.
Furthermore, Putin and Erdogan exchanged perspectives on regional and international issues, while reiterating that practical economic cooperation, anchored by flagship projects such as Akkuyu, remains a strategic priority for both nations.
The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, located in the southern province of Mersin, represents a substantial investment estimated between $20 billion and $25 billion. The facility will feature four VVER-1200 Generation III+ reactors, designed to deliver a total capacity of 4,800 MW, with each unit providing 1,200 MWe. Upon its completion, with the first unit scheduled for operation in 2026, the NPP is projected to supply approximately 10% of Trkiye’s total electricity demand, significantly reducing the nation’s dependence on imported natural gas and oil. This transition is expected to cut Trkiye’s annual natural gas import costs by approximately $1.5 billion.
The project is being developed under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model and is led by a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, which is responsible for the full spectrum of investment, construction, and operation.