Rosatom’s collaboration with Türkiye in the nuclear sector extends far beyond the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu. In July, Rosatom took active part in the Nuclear Power Plants 7th Expo and 11th Summit (NPPES 2025) held in Istanbul. Discussions focused on nuclear energy’s role in Türkiye’s power sector and non-energy applications of nuclear technology.
NPPES 2025 is Türkiye’s premier industry event, drawing more than 1,400 delegates and 212 companies this year. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Anton Dedusenko, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Akkuyu Nuclear JSC (a subsidiary of Rosatom), emphasized the importance of international cooperation in building the Akkuyu NPP: “We are firmly convinced that even during turbulent times, there is room for international collaboration based on objective needs and mutual business understanding. The Akkuyu NPP project is progressing, and we are grateful to our Turkish partners for our joint efforts in finding new footholds wherever needed.”
Esra Songur, Director for Sustainable Development at Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, emphasized the significance of the Akkuyu NPP project for the development of Türkiye’s energy sector: “This is not just a major construction site today—it is a reliable source of electricity tomorrow. Türkiye will have a domestic nuclear power plant, trained personnel for its operation and, importantly, a roadmap for nuclear energy development, and all this will enable future nuclear projects based on the experience gained.”
Representatives of the Russian nuclear corporation took active part in the business program, presenting innovative nuclear energy solutions and non-energy applications of nuclear technology. For Central Asia, the Middle East, and Türkiye, Rosatom offers a multipurpose research reactor with up to 15 MW capacity, applicable in nuclear medicine and agricultural produce irradiation. Small modular reactor (SMR) technologies were also featured at the exhibition. Innovative 55 MW RITM-200 SMRs are currently serial-produced in Russia. Rosatom is also constructing an SMR nuclear power plant in Yakutia, and has signed the world’s first export contract for a small-scale nuclear power plant with Uzbekistan last year.
This year, Rosatom’s exhibition booth was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Russia’s nuclear industry. Visitors were introduced to advanced large and small-scale nuclear power products, multifunctional nuclear science and technology centers based on research reactors, and logistics solutions.
During the BRICS Nuclear Energy Platform session at NPPES, Rosatom presented its approach to managing nuclear sector suppliers. Discussions covered quality control, maintaining competency standards, and introducing new regulatory practices. Experts paid special attention to upskilling suppliers, adapting regulatory bodies to structural market changes, and engaging international development banks in financing supply chains.
Speaking at the session, Esra Songur spoke about the growing export potential of companies involved in the Akkuyu NPP project. “By manufacturing nuclear-grade equipment and materials to stringent quality standards, Turkish companies are becoming more competitive in the global market and well-positioned for future nuclear power plant projects,” she said.
In June, electric motors for the technical water supply pumps were started up at the coastal pumping station of Unit 1. This system will provide water to the cooling equipment buildings and the central compressor station.
Workers have already installed pipelines to these buildings and inside the coastal pumping station. Following the motor activation, each of the six pumps will undergo individual performance and tightness tests. Starting and testing the motors marks a key stage in preparing the pumping station equipment for regular operation.
“Every time equipment is powered up at the Akkuyu NPP site, it represents not just another step in commissioning activities, but an important milestone toward the start of the reactor unit. Commissioning engineers carefully monitor the performance and sequence of all operations,” said Sergey Butskikh, CEO of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC.
In June, Akkuyu NPP lab technicians completed a training course ahead of their upcoming ISO 17025 certification. According to Turkish laws, the Akkuyu NPP laboratories must be accredited by the Turkish Accreditation Agency (TÜRKAK) to the TS EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard. The training was conducted by experts from the certified Turkish company, SİGMA. A total of 40 Akkuyu Nuclear employees completed the course at the Akkuyu NPP Training Center.
“ISO 17025 staff training is one of the key phases in the laboratory accreditation process. In the next phases, we will undergo a quality management accreditation audit and obtain authorization from Türkiye’s Nuclear Regulatory Authority to confirm that the labs are ready for routine operations,” said Sergey Butskikh.
To maintain a high level of emergency preparedness at the Akkuyu NPP site, an emergency response team has been established to provide 24/7 on-site support. It includes professional rescuers and firefighters officially accredited by Turkish government agencies. In 2023, a volunteer search-and-rescue team was formed from Akkuyu Nuclear employees. All volunteers receive two weeks of training at a specialized training center run by Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD). Training sessions are held regularly, with the latest round beginning in June. The course includes both theory and practice in emergency reconnaissance, rescue operations, evacuation, tactics, and topographic training.
Upon completion of the course, trainees will receive official government-issued certificates confirming their qualification in emergency rescue operations.
Photo by: Akkuyu Nuclear
