Putin and Erdogan remotely participate in the fuel delivery ceremony at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant

Russian President Vladimir Putin participates via video link in a solemn ceremony on the occasion of the delivery of Russian nuclear fuel to the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey, the Kremlin press service reported. The head of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, also joined the ceremony remotely – previously the head of Turkey canceled full-time participation in activities due to health problems. Rosatom handed over to the Ministry of Energy of Turkey a certificate for power unit No. 1 of the nuclear power plant, Russia and Turkey officially formalized the delivery of nuclear fuel to it.

During his speech, the Russian president stressed Turkey’s involvement in the “club of developed countries” in connection with the registration of the nuclear power plant as a nuclear facility, and also noted Mr. Erdogan’s direct contribution to the project. The head of the Russian Federation also added that during the construction of Akkuyu, Russia is and will continue to be in close contact with the IAEA.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in turn, thanked Russia and personally Vladimir Putin for the construction of the facility on his own behalf, as well as on behalf of the entire Turkish people.

In person, Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Donmez and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi are taking part in the ceremony.

Rosatom is building the Akkuyu nuclear power plant on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. This is the first nuclear power plant in the republic. It is assumed that the facility will consist of four power units with Russian reactors. After commissioning and reaching full capacity, Akkuyu should generate approximately 35 billion kilowatt-hours per year, which will cover up to 10% of Turkey’s total electricity demand.

Grigory Leiba