Turkey’s Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant plans to launch its first reactor in autumn 2026, a major milestone for the nation's energy infrastructure.
Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, said that critical 'hot tests' are scheduled for July to verify the reliability of reactor systems, Russian news agency RIA reported.
If these tests are successful, authorities plan to begin fuel loading and commissioning the unit in the autumn. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate 10% of the nation’s total electricity demand.
The $20 billion Akkuyu project began under a 2010 intergovernmental agreement between Turkey and Russia. Russia’s Rosatom is constructing the facility in the southern province of Mersin. The completed plant will feature four power units with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts. Turkey aims to reach a nuclear capacity of 20,000 megawatts by 2050.
Also, amid efforts to bolster its renewable energy footprint, Turkey now holds the second-largest hydroelectric installed capacity in Europe, trailing only Norway.
According to the International Hydropower Association’s '2026 World Hydropower Outlook,' reviewed by Anadolu Agency, Turkey has reached approximately 32,294 megawatts of capacity, which surpasses that of several economies such as France, Spain, and Italy. Turkey ranks ninth globally in hydroelectric capacity, following leaders including China, Brazil, the US, Canada, India, Russia, Japan, and Norway.
