Canadian engineering and nuclear energy giant AtkinsRéalis announced on Thursday that it had signed an agreement with state-owned Turkish Nuclear Energy Company (TUNAS) to conduct a feasibility study into the potential expansion of Turkey's nuclear power programme.
The company said in an official statement that it would carry out a comprehensive study, scheduled for completion by the end of 2027, into a potential multi-unit nuclear project, along with preliminary design and engineering work.
Turkey is seeking to expand its existing nuclear programme, which includes the 4.8-gigawatt Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, currently being built by Russia's Rosatom in Mersin Province on the Mediterranean Sea coast.
Potential new sites for nuclear power plants have been identified in Sinop Province on the Black Sea coast and in the Thrace region in northwestern Turkey.
The Akkuyu project has faced repeated delays, and Rosatom expects the first reactor to achieve its first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction before the end of 2027.
Joe St. Julian, President of Nuclear at AtkinsRéalis, confirmed that discussions had covered plans to build a six-unit, 4.5-gigawatt nuclear power plant, with the engineering design study expected to be completed by 2028 to enable a final investment decision.
A roadmap for financing the project has also been agreed upon to ensure its continuity and development.
AtkinsRéalis subsidiary Candu Energy signed the agreement on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, southern Turkey.
Ankara is holding talks with countries including Canada, South Korea, Russia, Japan and China over the construction of a potential nuclear power plant, and has signed memorandums of understanding with Canada and South Korea.
Turkey's national energy plan aims to increase nuclear power capacity to 10 gigawatts by 2040, with nuclear energy expected to meet 11% of electricity demand.
2027 is expected to be a decisive year for determining the locations of the new plants in Sinop or Thrace.
This move is part of Turkey's efforts to strengthen its energy security and achieve sustainable development by diversifying its energy sources, particularly amid global energy challenges and climate change.
