Licensing of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
Authorization of Nuclear Facilities
With the “Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in relation to the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Republic of Turkey” envisaged establishing 4 units of 1200 MWe Russian design VVER reactors in Akkuyu site.
In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Russian side established “Akkuyu Nuclear A.Ş.” (Akkuyu Project Company), which is responsible for constructing, operating and decommissioning the nuclear power plant with 100% Russian capital. Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will be licensed in accordance with the laws, statutes, regulations and other relevant legal documents of the Republic of Türkiye.
Akkuyu Project Company applied to the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) for being recognized as an owner, according to the Article 6 of the repealed Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations. After review of the application, TAEK recognized Akkuyu Project Company (Akkuyu Nükleer A.Ş.) as the Owner.
Akkuyu VVER 1200 Nuclear Power Plant
The safety systems of the VVER-1200 design to be constructed in our country mostly consist of systems that do not need an electrical power supply in the event of an anticipated operational occurrence (AOO) or accident. Some of the safety systems in the design are: control rods, active and passive emergency core cooling systems, emergency boric acid injection system, steam generator cooling system, passive residual heat removal system, core catcher.
VVER-1200 reactors are the models of the operating VVER-1000 type reactors with improved operating life, power, thermal efficiency, and safety systems. VVER-1200 reactors are granted construction license from Rostechnadzor, the regulatory body of the Russian Federation. The computer drawing image of the VVER-1200 power plant to be constructed in the Akkuyu is presented in the figure.
“Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in relation to the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Republic of Turkey” envisaged establishing 4 units of 1200 MWe Russian design VVER reactors in Akkuyu site.
The governments of Turkey and Russian Federation signed an agreement to cooperate for constructing and operating a nuclear power plant on May 12th, 2020.
The nuclear power plant to be constructed in the Akkuyu site is a VVER-1200 type nuclear power plant developed by state companies of the Russian Federation. The layout and computer drawing model of a total of 4 units, which is being constructed in Akkuyu and have an approximate installed power of 4800 MWe, are shown in the figure on the right.
Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Site
Akkuyu site, where Türkiye's first nuclear power plant will be built, is located within the borders of Gülnar district of Mersin province, on the Mediterranean coast.
Akkuyu site is located 140 km west of Mersin city and 30 km southeast of Gülnar district.
Reports Related to Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant-Milestones
November 21st, 2023
Based on the documents submitted by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC with the letters dated 17.3.2023 and 24.8.2023, Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 was granted Commissioning Permit with the decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Board dated 21.11.2023 and numbered 2023-90/4 in accordance with the Nuclear Regulatory Law No. 7381 and the relevant legislation.
With the Commissioning Permit, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC is authorized to perform the commissioning tests to be carried out before loading nuclear fuel within the scope of the fourth paragraph of Article 18 of the Regulation on Authorizations Regarding Nuclear Facilities, which entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated 17.3.2023 and numbered 32135.
October 5th, 2023
The list of regulatory documents that will serve as the basis for the authorization of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant has been determined by the decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Board.
October 28th, 2021
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated May 12th, 2020, by the decision number 2021-51/3-1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on October 28th, 2021, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
June 30th, 2021
Limited work permit is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated May 12th, 2020, by the decision number 2021-35/2 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on June 30th, 2021, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
November 13th, 2020
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 3 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated March 28th, 2019, by the decision number 2020-71/2-1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on November 13th, 2020, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
July 23rd, 2020
Limited work permit is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 3 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated March 28th, 2019, by the decision number 2020-46/1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on July 23rd, 2020, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
July 3rd, 2020
NDK completed application conformity check and started review and assessment process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 construction license application.
May 12th, 2020
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 4.
August 26th, 2019
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated June 22nd, 2018, by the decision number 2019-44/1-1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on August 26th, 2019, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
March 28th, 2019
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 3.
November 30th, 2018
Limited work permit is given to Akkuyu Nuclear JSC for Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 at the 149th meeting of Atomic Energy Commission.
July 23rd, 2018
TAEK completed application conformity check and started review and assessment process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 construction license application.
June 22nd, 2018
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 2.
April 2nd, 2018
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated March 2nd, 2017, by the decision number 148/2 of the Atomic Energy Commisssion on March 30th, 2018, in accordance with the Law on Turkish Atomic Energy Authority and related regulations.
October 19th, 2017
Limited work permit is given to Akkuyu Nuclear JSC for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 at the 146th meeting of Atomic Energy Commission.
May 5th, 2017
First set of additional information requests was sent to Akkuyu Nuclear JSC regarding missing information for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
April 18th, 2017
TAEK completed application conformity check and started review and assessment process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
March 8th, 2017
TAEK completed completeness check and started application conformity check for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
March 6th, 2017
TAEK started completeness check process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
March 2nd, 2017
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1.
February 9th, 2017
The Site Parameters Report (Revision 04), which is presented by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC and which includes the results of detailed site investigations performed at the NPP site and the precise values of the project parameters, is approved by Turkish Atomic Energy Authority.
March 17th, 2015
After Updated Site Report, which is presented by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, is approved by Turkish Atomic Energy Authority, the Turkish version of the report is requested from Akkuyu Nuclear JSC. The unofficial Turkish translation of the Updated Site Report, which is prepared by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC is sent to TAEK.
November 26th, 2014
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC presented “Site Parameters Report- Revision 1” of Akkuyu NPP according to Article 12 of “Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations” and Article 5-2(b) of “Akkuyu Site License, License Conditions” to TAEK. The site parameters report is prepared in English and includes the results of detailed site investigations performed at the NPP site and the precise values of the project parameters.
November 14th, 2014
APC submitted the revised list and the report on “Regulations, Guides and Standards Forming Licensing Basis for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant” according to the “Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants”. TAEK reviewed the list and the report. TAEK Atomic Energy Commission approved the “List of Licensing Basis Requirements, Guides and Standards and its Approval Conditions for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant-Revision 2”.
August, 2014 :
The technical and financial evaluation of the bids of qualified candidates for procurement of technical support for TAEK has been completed. TAEK has signed the contract with the UJV Rez, a.s. of Czech Republic.
December 6th, 2013 :
The Updated Site Report submitted by Akkuyu NGS Elektrik Üretim A. Ş. is found appropriate.
July 9th, 2013 :
APC. submitted “Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Project” to Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
June 26th, 2013 :
APC revised the “Updated Site Report” according to preliminary assessment and additional information requests of TAEK and re-submitted.
November 2nd, 2012 :
APC submitted the list and the report on “Regulations, Guides and Standards Forming Licensing Basis for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant” according to the “Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants”. TAEK reviewed the list and the report. TAEK Atomic Energy Commission approved the “List of Licensing Basis Requirements, Guides and Standards and its Approval Conditions for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant-Revision 1”.
August 16th, 2012 :
APC submitted a reference plant proposal to TAEK according to the “Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants”. TAEK reviewed this report and Atomic Energy Commission approved Novovoronezh-2 Nuclear Power Plant in Russian Federation as the reference plant for Akkuyu NPP.
August 10th, 2012 :
TAEK requested additional information and documents from APC for assessment of the “Updated Site Report”.
June 8th, 2012 :
TAEK finished application conformity check of “Updated Site Report” from format and content point of view. TAEK notified APC that application is accepted and detailed assessment of the report started.
June 1st, 2012 :
" Stress Tests National Report of Turkey" which was prepared by TAEK is sent to European Commission.
May 21st, 2012 :
APC completed the first stage of site investigations and submitted “Updated Site Report” to TAEK for assessment.
October 13th, 2011 :
TAEK declared “Conditions for Akkuyu Site License” as a complementary of the site license.
June 23rd, 2011:
Turkey signed the Joint Declaration on comprehensive risk and safety assessments of nuclear plants, so called "Stress "Tests".
March 31st, 2011:
APC started site investigations in Akkuyu for updating the site characteristics and parameters according to the national procedures laid out in the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations.
February 28th, 2011
TAEK recognized APC as the owner.
February 7th, 2011:
APC applied to the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) for being recognized as an owner, according to the Article 6 of the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations.
December 13th, 2010:
Russian party established a company, “Akkuyu NGS Elektrik Üretim A.Ş.” (APC: Akkuyu Project Company) to build, operate and decommission the NPP units.
May 12th, 2010:
The governments of Turkey and Russian Federation signed an agreement to cooperate for constructing and operating a nuclear power plant. “Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in relation to the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Republic of Turkey” envisaged establishing 4 units of 1200 MWe Russian design VVER reactors in Akkuyu site.
