Business · Energy & Commodities · 8 hrs ago
Türkiye targets at least 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050
Türkiye aims for at least 20 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said at an energy meeting in Moscow.
The country’s energy demand is rising, and most of its natural gas, oil and coal use is met through imports.
Bayraktar said Türkiye wants to meet demand and reduce import dependence by diversifying energy sources and investing in infrastructure.
He also highlighted energy cooperation with Russia, saying Türkiye provides a growing market for Russian energy while Russia contributes to Türkiye’s supply security.
Türkiye is building four reactors at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant with Russia’s Rosatom, and Bayraktar said the first unit could begin producing electricity in the coming months.
The government is also developing nuclear plant projects in Sinop and Thrace and sees small modular reactors as part of its plans.
The 2050 goal would expand nuclear power’s role as Türkiye prepares for higher electricity needs.
Türkiye aims to reach at least 20 gigawatts of nuclear electricity capacity by 2050, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said.
Bayraktar announced the target during a main session at Russian Energy Week in Moscow.
He said nuclear power would be an essential part of Türkiye’s future energy mix as electricity demand grows.
Construction is continuing on four reactors at the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, built with Russia’s Rosatom.
Türkiye is also developing nuclear power plant projects in Sinop and Thrace.
- Who
- Türkiye, represented by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.
- What
- Türkiye aims to reach at least 20 gigawatts of nuclear electricity capacity by 2050.
- When
- The target was announced on October 16, 2026.
- Where
- At Russian Energy Week in Moscow, Russia.
- Why
- To help meet rising electricity demand and strengthen Türkiye’s energy supply.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- 2050 target
- At least 20 gigawatts of nuclear electricity capacity
- Akkuyu
- Construction is under way on 4 reactors
- Other projects
- Sinop and Thrace
- Reactor requirement
- At least 12 large-scale conventional nuclear reactors
What people are saying
We aim to reach at least 20 gigawatts of nuclear electricity generation capacity by 2050.
I hope we will be able to start generating electricity from our first unit in the next few months.