Turkey Unveils Plan for 8 Nuclear Reactors in Major Energy Expansion

Turkey plans to physique 8 atomic reactors successful Sinop and East Thrace arsenic portion of a large vigor expansion, aiming to boost capacity. Credit: wikimedia commons / Raimond Spekking CC BY 4.0

Turkey has unveiled plans to physique 8 atomic reactors arsenic portion of a large effort to grow its vigor capableness and trim dependence connected imported fuels, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said connected Wednesday.

The connection includes 4 reactors successful the bluish state of Sinop and different 4 successful the East Thrace portion successful the northwest. The determination is expected to play a cardinal relation successful gathering rising energy request and strengthening the country’s vigor infrastructure.

Talks are underway with planetary partners

Bayraktar said Turkey is successful discussions with respective countries, including South Korea, Canada, China, and Russia, astir imaginable practice connected projects. He shared the update successful an interview.

🇹🇷 🇰🇷 🇨🇦 🇨🇳 🇷🇺Turkey is holding talks with South Korea, Canada, China, and Russia to make 4 caller atomic powerfulness plants.

A full of 8 ample reactors are planned, with 4 successful Sinop and 4 successful Thrace, arsenic portion of a large enlargement of the country’s vigor capacity. pic.twitter.com/vTm0jyuBv7

— Defense Intelligence (@DI313_) March 18, 2026

No agreements person been signed truthful far. The curate said Ankara volition prime partners based connected competitory fiscal presumption and wide task value.

Localization is the cardinal to the last decision

Officials person placed beardown accent connected localisation successful the enactment process. Bayraktar said proposals volition beryllium evaluated based connected the grade to which they enactment home manufacture and workforce participation.

Localization aims to summation the relation of Turkish companies successful the plan and cognition of atomic facilities. Authorities expect this attack to fortify method capableness and present semipermanent economical benefits.

Akkuyu atomic powerfulness works during construction, Turkey. Credit: AO / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

Existing atomic projects and progress

Turkey is already advancing its atomic programme with the operation of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant connected the Mediterranean coast. The project, developed successful concern with Russia, is expected to beryllium the country’s archetypal operational atomic facility.

Russia is providing $9B to money Turkey’s archetypal atomic powerfulness plant, Akkuyu. Built by Rosatom, the works is slated to commencement operations successful 2026, marking a large measurement successful Turkey’s vigor expansion.

Source: Turkey’s Energy Ministry pic.twitter.com/clyIJI5995

— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) December 26, 2025

Akkuyu volition dwell of 4 reactors erstwhile completed. The archetypal portion is expected to statesman operations successful the coming years, with consequent units pursuing successful phases. Officials accidental the works volition proviso a important stock of Turkey’s energy needs erstwhile afloat operational.

The authorities has besides explored atomic projects successful Sinop and different regions, though earlier plans were delayed by financing and concern challenges.

Part of broader vigor strategy

The planned reactors are portion of Turkey’s broader strategy to diversify its vigor premix and amended vigor security. Nuclear powerfulness is considered a reliable, low-emission root that tin enactment semipermanent proviso needs.

Further details, including timelines and task structures, person not yet been announced. Talks with imaginable partners are ongoing.