The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is set to be operational in 2025. This significant development will provide vast amounts of energy to Turkey and help meet its demand while also meeting climate targets.
As the world’s largest nuclear construction site, the plant has four reactors which are under construction at the same time. This large scale project has over 30,000 workers involved and marks a major milestone for both Turkey and nuclear energy provision.
The energy from this plant alone is set to meet 10% of Turkey’s energy demand – a significant figure.
Even though it will be opened in 2025, with the first reactor being in use by then, it will not be entirely operational until 2028.
While concerns have been raised about nuclear energy, this plant has continually met environmental requirements. It is expected that the clean and carbon-free energy will reduce Turkey’s carbon emissions by 30 million tonnes each year.
Developers have looked towards the future when designing the plant but they have also recognised Turkey’s nuclear goals from the past. In the 1950s, Turkey’s nuclear ambitions were first discussed. Today, it aims to achieve a capacity of 20,000 megawatts by 2050.
Leaders have prioritised the output of the power plant but also its environmental impact.
Throughout the development of the plant, maximising the energy production while also ensuring to protect the environment has been at the forefront of discussions.
The biggest nuclear power plant in the world is located in Tokyo, Japan.
The gigantic Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant remains the world’s biggest nearly 40 years after it was built. It spans two entire towns in Japan – Kashiwazaki and Kariwa but has been shut off for the past 12 years.
