Construction work is going full tilt at all four power units of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The site has been visited by representatives of Turkish government agencies, who discussed implementation of the project, including financing and licensing. A major shipment of materials and equipment, including one of the key components for Unit 4, has been recently delivered to the site.
In early September, a cargo weighing over 475 tonnes arrived at the construction site from Russia. Having traveled approximately 4,600 nautical miles from the port of St. Petersburg, the shipment included components for the condensate discharge line for Unit 3, embedded parts, and electric pumps. The largest item was a suppression pool—a component of the reactor plant’s pressure compensation system — for Unit 4. Made of special-grade chromium-nickel steel, it is designed to condense steam from the reactor compartment’s primary circuit.
“The supply chain for the Akkuyu project, involving dozens of mechanical engineering companies worldwide, is operating smoothly. Regular deliveries of equipment and materials ensure the continuity of construction and installation work at the nuclear power plant facilities. Delivery of key reactor components such as a suppression pool, along with their safe unloading, transportation, and storage, is critical for the successful implementation of the project,” said Sergey Butskikh, CEO of Akkuyu Nuclear.
Construction is continuing at all four Akkuyu units. In late July, concreting of the walls was completed for the turbine hall of Unit 3. Erection of the walls precedes building the roof and installing the turbine. The turbine hall is one of the key structures of the power unit as it houses critical equipment for electricity generation.
The Akkuyu NPP construction project remains a priority for Turkish authorities. In early August, a delegation from Turkish ministries and agencies, led by Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Zafer Demircan, paid a two-day visit to the site. Members of the delegation held coordination meetings with the Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Rosatom, Akkuyu Nuclear, and major contractors.
The parties discussed the current status of the project, provision of finance, licensing progress, training of the operating personnel, security measures, and other topics. Akkuyu Nuclear CEO Sergey Butskikh showed the visiting delegation some of the key facilities under construction, including the reactor building of Unit 1, the power evacuation system with equipment installation nearing completion, and auxiliary facilities.
“We need a clean source of base-load power for our growing economy, and this is exactly what nuclear energy is. During the site visit, we received all necessary information about on-site activities. The Akkuyu NPP project is being delivered through continuous interaction among all the stakeholders,” Zafer Demircan emphasized.
Anton Dedusenko, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Akkuyu Nuclear, noted that the project was progressing successfully despite changing external conditions: “We are working in close cooperation with the Turkish party to ensure uninterrupted project financing while simultaneously meeting the on-site work plan. The mutual understanding among the parties and experience gained through joint work continue to serve as a guarantee of the project’s steady advancement.”
Russian companies are manufacturing key equipment for Akkuyu. In late August, trial assembly of the VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel for Akkuyu Unit 4 began at Atommash (part of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division). This marks the final stage of a three-year reactor production cycle. Initially, the vessel is placed vertically into a special caisson stand. Then the assembly process begins: a 12-meter core barrel, which will later hold fuel assemblies, a core baffle and a protective tube unit are lowered into the vessel like into a matryoshka doll. Altogether, over 100 components will be installed to make up a complete reactor, which weighs about 600 tonnes when fully assembled.
The fourth reactor pressure vessel for the Akkuyu NPP was the 250th vessel produced in the entire history of the Russian nuclear industry.
Safety is Rosatom’s top priority in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants. To ensure fire safety throughout the lifetime of the Akkuyu NPP project, a 169-strong fire brigade with 16 fire trucks operates on the Akkuyu construction site, providing round-the-clock service.
In August, professional firefighters and volunteers of the firefighting team — 80 people in total — helped extinguish a large forest fire covering around 6,000 hectares near the towns of Kırtıl and Taşucu. A fire truck, a field service van, and four water tenders were sent from the nuclear plant site to the fire-stricken area.
While fighting fire in mountainous terrain, Akkuyu firefighters discovered several houses with people trapped inside. They managed to break through the ring of burning trees and evacuate 29 workers whose lives were in serious danger.
Akkuyu Nuclear places great importance on professional staff training. The company organizes regular language classes to ensure effective communication among the people engaged in the project.
In late August, a certificate award ceremony was held at the Akkuyu site for the employees who completed a professional language training program. The Russian language course was developed by Russian experts specifically for the Akkuyu NPP personnel with zero to basic language proficiency. The program includes in-person and remote classes with instructors, on-the-job practice under mentor guidance, and courses on safety culture and business ethics. Tests showed that most students achieved level A2 proficiency, enabling them to confidently use Russian at work.
Akkuyu Nuclear also organizes regular Turkish language training for Russian-speaking employees. A new course started in September, with over 40 first-line to top managers participating.
Photo by: Akkuyu Nuclear JSC
