Turkey's First Nuclear Plant Opening Delayed

The construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant, the Akkuyu, has been delayed due to Germany's Siemens Energy withholding essential parts, prompting Russia's Rosatom to source alternatives from China. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar indicated that this delay, likely influenced by Western sanctions related to Russia's war in Ukraine, will push the launch of the first reactor from 2023 to 2024, with plans for the remaining reactors to be operational by 2028. Despite efforts from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to resolve the issue through discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Siemens has yet to deliver the parts, citing export regulations. Potential fines against Siemens are being considered, reflecting Turkey's frustration with the situation. The $20 billion Akkuyu project aims to supply 10% of Turkey's electricity and marks a significant step for the country into nuclear energy. Rosatom has already engaged Chinese firms to produce the required components to mitigate the delays.