Akkuyu NPP: Russia and Turkey Announce Milestone in Nuclear Fuel Delivery
The leaders of Russia and Turkey—Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—participated via video conference in the ceremony marking the delivery of the first batch of nuclear fuel to the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant site for the first power unit. Also present in person were Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, Alexei Likhachev, president of Rosatom, and Fatih Dönmez, Turkey’s energy minister.
Putin described the Akkuyu project as the most important joint initiative between Moscow and Ankara. “This is a flagship project that brings mutual economic benefits and strengthens the diverse partnership between our states”, he said.
Akkuyu NPP in Turkey
Akkuyu is a joint project between Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear corporation, and Turkey. Construction of the first power unit began in April 2018, followed by the second in April 2020, the third in March 2021, and the fourth in July 2022. It is Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, and once all four units are operational, the plant is expected to supply about 10 percent of the country’s electricity needs. The project carries an estimated cost of around $20 billion and adheres to current international safety standards in the nuclear sector.
Putin noted that Russia would continue natural gas supplies to Turkey but would adjust delivery as Akkuyu comes online. He also mentioned that gas could be routed to third countries via the Turkish gas center once the plant reaches full capacity. The launch window was anticipated for late 2023 to early 2024, with the broader goal of diversifying energy routes and strengthening regional cooperation.
During the ceremony, Rosatom’s chief executive handed a nuclear fuel delivery certificate to Fatih Dönmez, and the president of Russia endorsed the transfer. This event marked Akkuyu as a functioning nuclear facility and elevated Turkey to the group of nations with active nuclear energy programs.
Ahead of the event, Putin and Erdoğan spoke by phone and discussed significant bilateral issues, including agricultural trade and broader economic ties. The leaders also touched on Ukraine, the grain agreement, and Syria, and they explored forming a working group to address the Ukraine situation. Erdoğan reportedly spoke with Putin about new proposals for the Black Sea grain initiative and the possibility of fresh initiatives emerging from that working group.
IAEA President Rafael Grossi spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing that Akkuyu is designed to operate safely for many decades and could be considered a model of safety in the global nuclear landscape. Grossi remarked that the project benefits from robust safety measures and extensive oversight, noting that Akkuyu has the components needed for long-term, secure operation.
The day before the ceremony, political developments in Turkey drew attention, with Kılıçdaroğlu, a major opposition figure, sending a message to the Russian expert community about continued cooperation regardless of political leadership. The message acknowledged difficulties in relations but stressed mutual respect and a shared interest in stabilizing regional ties and economic links. The discussions highlighted a shared priority of ending the conflict in Ukraine and supporting the Black Sea grain initiative, while seeking ways to bridge differences between Moscow and Ankara.
Overall, the Akkuyu project represents a milestone in Turkey’s energy strategy and a notable example of international cooperation in the nuclear energy sector. The partnership continues to be framed around safety, economic benefits, and regional stability, with ongoing assessments of how nuclear energy can contribute to Turkey’s electricity supply, energy security, and long-term growth.
Notes accompanying the ceremony stressed that Akkuyu’s development aligns with international safety norms and that the project is part of a broader effort to expand responsible nuclear energy use within the region. Analysts expect the project to influence energy diplomacy in the Black Sea region and to shape future discussions on energy diversification and bilateral cooperation between Russia and Turkey.
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Grossi spoke as the IAEA leader about the current staffing reality and how it could influence safety measures and the plant’s resilience in difficult circumstances. He acknowledged that many workers had left the area and that the remaining personnel were pressed to continue essential functions under challenging conditions. These statements reflect the IAEA’s ongoing assessment of the situation at the largest nuclear installation in Europe by unit count and installed capacity, a distinction that has positioned Zaporozhye NPP as a focal point in regional energy security discussions. The plant sits on the left bank of the Dnieper River near Energodar and has been under control of the Russian military since March, a status that has complicated normal governance and daily operations. Officials from Energodar have repeatedly alleged that the site has suffered bombardment from forces of Ukraine, which has added to the intensity of the information environment surrounding the facility. The IAEA continues to pursue and verify information regarding the safety protocols and incident reports to ensure accurate situational awareness for member states and international observers. Grossi reiterated that he has a plan for establishing a safety zone around the Zaporozhye facility. This proposed exclusion area, if realized, would aim to reduce exposure to potential hazards and create a clear buffer that supports uninterrupted safety monitoring and response capabilities. He described the plan as an essential step toward mitigating the risk of a nuclear accident and strengthening international oversight of the site during a period of heightened risk. The IAEA chief also touched on the difficulty of identifying those responsible for any hostile actions that may have occurred around the plant. In a September statement, he indicated that determining the exact perpetrators behind the alleged bombing was not possible at that time, reflecting the complexity of obtaining verifiable information in a conflict zone and the challenges of attribution in such incidents. The agency remains committed to transparency and steady communication with the international community as it continues to assess safety conditions, verify claims, and support collective efforts to prevent any escalation that could compromise nuclear safety. The broader context includes ongoing debates among international actors about the appropriate safeguards, the role of international law in protecting critical infrastructure, and the responsibilities of involved parties to prevent damage to facilities with potentially far-reaching consequences for regional and global energy stability. Throughout these developments, the IAEA emphasizes that safeguarding nuclear facilities requires not just technical expertise but also stable staffing, reliable procedures, and clear, verifiable information. The agency’s leadership continues to call for careful assessment, continuous monitoring, and practical steps that can be implemented to reduce risk while respecting the realities on the ground. By maintaining emphasis on safety culture, procedural clarity, and international cooperation, the IAEA seeks to support a safer operational environment at Zaporozhye NPP and contribute to a broader framework that protects communities dependent on nuclear energy in North America and beyond. This ongoing discourse reflects a shared concern about safeguarding critical energy infrastructure in a volatile geopolitical landscape, with the IAEA positioned as a central voice in promoting verifiable safety standards, reliable oversight, and proactive risk mitigation. The situation remains dynamic, and the organization continues to update its assessments as new information becomes available, inviting careful scrutiny from member states and stakeholders around the world. In its communications, the IAEA strives to balance the need for transparency with the constraints of operating in a conflict area, aiming to provide accurate, timely, and actionable guidance to ensure the highest possible level of nuclear safety under challenging conditions. The overarching goal remains clear: to prevent a nuclear accident and uphold the integrity of the world’s nuclear safeguards regime, even in the face of disruption and uncertainty. This commitment underscores the IAEA’s mission to protect people and the environment while supporting safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology. Attribution: IAEA statements and public briefings related to Zaporozhye NPP safety and staffing conditions.”} Akkuyu NPP Milestone: Rosatom Secures Permit for First Unit and Advances Licensing Rosatom-Türkiye Talks on Sinop NPP and Akkuyu Progress Akkuyu Nuclear Project: Accident, Progress, and International Context Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Talks: IAEA Pushes for Safety and De-Escalation Kazakhstan Evaluates Partners for First Nuclear Plant and Nuclear Fuel Plans {} Putin and Erdogan: A evolving axis in a shifting global order Turkey’s 2023 Presidential Result and the Geopolitical Dance