site.btaAlexey Likhachev: Rosatom Aims to Bring Nuclear Power to Turkiye This Year

The head of Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom said efforts are underway to bring nuclear energy into operation in Turkiye this year through the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project, the Anadolu Agency reported on January 15.

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said preparations are being made to launch Turkiye’s first nuclear power plant, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which is under construction in the southern province of Mersin.

Speaking to Russian state broadcaster Rossiya-24, Likhachev said Rosatom would “do everything” to bring nuclear energy into operation in Turkiye within the year.

He said the process is being led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, describing 2025 as a challenging but successful year for the project.

Likhachev said the Akkuyu project has faced significant pressure, citing delays in equipment deliveries by Siemens, the freezing of USD 2 billion in investments and disruptions to payment systems.

Despite these challenges, he said construction and preparations continued without interruption.

Likhachev said firm support from Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as decisions taken by Russia’s government and central bank, enabled the project to move forward as planned.

Likhachev also addressed broader developments in the nuclear sector, noting that Russia’s nuclear industry marked its 80th anniversary in 2025.

He said discussions with global nuclear industry leaders and government representatives highlighted nuclear energy as an indispensable solution for sustainable and affordable electricity generation.

Calling the 21st century the “century of electricity,” Likhachev said nuclear technologies offer the only viable path to meeting growing energy demand and said Rosatom continues to propose long-term partnerships with countries open to cooperation.