In a significant development at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey, the construction of the reactor vessel’s control assembly for the fourth unit has commenced. This project marks a milestone as it will be the 250th nuclear reactor manufactured in Russia by Rosatom. Maxim Zhidkov, head of the Atommash plant, emphasized the precision engineering involved in ensuring that every component and element of the reactor is accurately positioned to a thousandth of a millimeter. This meticulous work not only confirms the reactor’s operational readiness for several decades but also facilitates its smooth installation at the power plant site. The successful progress of this assembly process underscores the high standards of Russian design and production capabilities.
Apart from the Akkuyu project, Atommash is concurrently engaged in fabricating the reactor vessel for the second unit at the El Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt. Additionally, the plant is working on producing 17 steam generators for nuclear power plants located in Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and India. Igor Kotov, the head of Rosatom’s Mechanical Engineering division, highlighted the pivotal role played by their products in powering numerous nuclear plants worldwide, providing energy and lighting to millions of people. He also mentioned future projects on the horizon, such as the launch of the world’s first IV Generation energy complex in Seversk and the development of a series of floating nuclear power plants, signifying the continued innovation and growth in the nuclear energy sector.
Akkuyu nuclear power plant, situated in Turkey’s Mersin province, is a significant energy infrastructure project as the country’s inaugural nuclear power facility. Under a build-own-operate model, Rosatom is constructing four VVER-1200 reactors at the site. As per the terms outlined in the 2010 Intergovernmental Agreement between Russia and Turkey, the commissioning of the first power unit at Akkuyu must occur within seven years of obtaining all necessary construction permits. The licensing process for the initial unit commenced in 2018, with construction activities commencing the same year. Subsequently, nuclear fuel was transported to the site in April 2023, and in December of the same year, Turkey’s Nuclear Regulatory Agency granted permission for the commissioning of the first unit.
The target is to have unit 1 operational and contributing to Turkey’s energy grid in the coming year. Once the entire 4800 MWe plant is completed, it is anticipated to fulfill approximately 10% of Turkey’s electricity demands. The goal is to have all four units operational by the conclusion of 2028. Notably, the construction of unit 4 commenced in August 2023, marking a crucial step towards the realization of the entire power plant complex. The progress made in the assembly of the reactor vessel for Akkuyu 4 signifies a significant stride towards achieving the ambitious energy goals set forth by the Turkish government and Rosatom.
- The commencement of the reactor vessel assembly for Akkuyu 4 at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey marks a significant milestone, being the 250th nuclear reactor manufactured in Russia.
- The meticulous engineering involved in positioning every component of the reactor vessel with precision underscores the high standards of Russian design and production capabilities.
- The Akkuyu project is part of Rosatom’s broader initiatives in the nuclear energy sector, with concurrent efforts on fabricating reactor vessels and steam generators for projects in Egypt, Russia, Turkey, and India.
- Once operational, the Akkuyu nuclear power plant is expected to meet approximately 10% of Turkey’s electricity needs, with all four units scheduled to be operational by the end of 2028.
Tags: regulatory
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