Web Desk (MNN); Türkiye’s energy minister has said that Russia has extended fresh financing worth $9 billion for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, which is being constructed by Russia’s state-owned nuclear firm Rosatom, adding that Ankara expects the facility to become operational in 2026.
Rosatom is building Türkiye’s first nuclear power station at Akkuyu in the Mediterranean province of Mersin under a $20 billion agreement signed in 2010. The project was initially scheduled to begin operations this year but has faced delays.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told local reporters in Istanbul that the new financing would most likely be utilised during 2026 and 2027. He said at least $4 to $5 billion of foreign financing was expected to be available in 2026.
Bayraktar said Türkiye was also holding discussions with South Korea, China, Russia and the United States on potential nuclear energy projects in the Sinop province and the Thrace region. He added that Ankara was seeking the most competitive offers for future projects.
He stressed that Türkiye aims to produce nuclear energy domestically and would soon announce clear targets in this regard.
The minister further said Türkiye was in talks with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power for a 5,000-megawatt solar energy package. He said an agreement for the first phase, covering 2,000 megawatts, was expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Bayraktar, the initial phase includes 1,000 megawatts each in Sivas and the Taseli region. He also revealed that discussions were underway with another Gulf-based company on a solar and energy storage project, with an estimated investment of $1.5 to $2 billion.
