A Significant Step for Akkuyu NGS: The Date for the First Reactor's Commissioning Has Been Announced

The countdown has begun for the first reactor at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The 12th Nuclear Power Plants Summit (NPPES 2026) held at Istanbul Technical University featured important announcements regarding Turkey’s nuclear energy projects. Akkuyu Nükleer A.Ş. Chairman Anton Dedusenko announced that the commissioning of the first power unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is targeted for 2026. Dedusenko stated that the construction is complete, tests are ongoing, and the process of commissioning the second unit has begun. It was emphasized that nuclear energy is crucial for Turkey's net zero targets. Dedusenko said, “Nuclear technologies are not only a reliable and low-carbon energy source, but also a strategic technology platform that provides solutions to global problems in climate change and infrastructure.” The summit also touched upon the role of nuclear energy in climate policies. Dedusenko stated that discussions on the role of nuclear energy in the climate agenda have become more concrete in recent years. Dedusenko noted that existing technologies have moved beyond theory and have reached a level of maturity where they can be applied to meet the needs of different countries.