Licensing of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
Authorization of Nuclear Facilities
With the “Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in relation to the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Republic of Turkey” envisaged establishing 4 units of 1200 MWe Russian design VVER reactors in Akkuyu site.
In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the Russian side established “Akkuyu Nuclear A.Ş.” (Akkuyu Project Company), which is responsible for constructing, operating and decommissioning the nuclear power plant with 100% Russian capital. Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will be licensed in accordance with the laws, statutes, regulations and other relevant legal documents of the Republic of Türkiye.
Akkuyu Project Company applied to the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) for being recognized as an owner, according to the Article 6 of the repealed Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations. After review of the application, TAEK recognized Akkuyu Project Company (Akkuyu Nükleer A.Ş.) as the Owner.
Akkuyu VVER 1200 Nuclear Power Plant
The safety systems of the VVER-1200 design to be constructed in our country mostly consist of systems that do not need an electrical power supply in the event of an anticipated operational occurrence (AOO) or accident. Some of the safety systems in the design are: control rods, active and passive emergency core cooling systems, emergency boric acid injection system, steam generator cooling system, passive residual heat removal system, core catcher.
VVER-1200 reactors are the models of the operating VVER-1000 type reactors with improved operating life, power, thermal efficiency, and safety systems. VVER-1200 reactors are granted construction license from Rostechnadzor, the regulatory body of the Russian Federation. The computer drawing image of the VVER-1200 power plant to be constructed in the Akkuyu is presented in the figure.
“Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in relation to the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Republic of Turkey” envisaged establishing 4 units of 1200 MWe Russian design VVER reactors in Akkuyu site.
The governments of Turkey and Russian Federation signed an agreement to cooperate for constructing and operating a nuclear power plant on May 12th, 2020.
The nuclear power plant to be constructed in the Akkuyu site is a VVER-1200 type nuclear power plant developed by state companies of the Russian Federation. The layout and computer drawing model of a total of 4 units, which is being constructed in Akkuyu and have an approximate installed power of 4800 MWe, are shown in the figure on the right.
Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Site
Akkuyu site, where Türkiye's first nuclear power plant will be built, is located within the borders of Gülnar district of Mersin province, on the Mediterranean coast.
Akkuyu site is located 140 km west of Mersin city and 30 km southeast of Gülnar district.
Reports Related to Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant-Milestones
November 19, 2025
The List of Regulatory Documents to be used in the authorization activities of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant has been updated by the Nuclear Regulatory Board's decision dated 19/11/2025 and numbered 2025-58/2-1. Click here for the list.
August 28th, 2025
Based on the application and documents sent by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC on 7/6/2024 and 7/4/2025, the "Design Changes Regarding Electrical Systems of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant" was approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Board's decision dated 28/8/2025 and numbered 2025-46/2.
July 9th, 2025
NDK completed application conformity check and started review and assessment process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 commissioning permit application.
May 8th, 2025
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for commissioning permit of Akkuyu NPP Unit 2.
March 21st, 2025
NDK completed application appropriateness check for operation license for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 based on Akkuyu Nuclear JSC’s application dated 27/12/2024. As the result of the appliation appropriatenes, NDK informed Akkuyu Nuclear JSC that the review and assessment process will be proceeded after the deficiencies identified by NDK are completed.
December 27th, 2024
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for operation license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1. The official application for the operation license was made on 27/12/2024, and the documents for the operation license application were submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Authority on 22/1/2024 and 29/7/2024.
December 18th, 2024
With the decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority dated 18/12/2024 and numbered 2024-73/4, the import and transportation permit was granted for the second batch of fresh fuel to be used in the Akkuyu NPP Unit 2.
December 9th, 2024
With the decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority dated 9/12/2024 and numbered 2024-71/4, the import and transportation permit was granted for the first batch of fresh fuel to be used in the Akkuyu NPP Unit 2.
November 21st, 2023
Based on the documents submitted by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC with the letters dated 17.3.2023 and 24.8.2023, Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 was granted Commissioning Permit with the decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Board dated 21.11.2023 and numbered 2023-90/4 in accordance with the Nuclear Regulatory Law No. 7381 and the relevant legislation.
With the Commissioning Permit, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC is authorized to perform the commissioning tests to be carried out before loading nuclear fuel within the scope of the fourth paragraph of Article 18 of the Regulation on Authorizations Regarding Nuclear Facilities, which entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette dated 17.3.2023 and numbered 32135.
October 5th, 2023
The list of regulatory documents that will serve as the basis for the authorization of the Akkuyu NPP has been determined by the decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Board.
September 1st, 2023
Based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated 22/6/2023, the "Design Change Regarding the Sea Discharge Structure of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant" was approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Board's decision dated 1/9/2023 and numbered 2023-71/4.
August 24th, 2023
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC re-submitted the documents submitted with the application for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 commissioning permit dated 17/3/2023, in line with the deficiencies identified by the NDK during the application appropriateness check dated 26/5/2023.
August 24th, 2023
Based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated 7/10/2022, the "Design Changes at Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant" were approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Board's decision dated 24/8/2023 and numbered 2023-68/3.
May 26th, 2023
The deficiencies identified as a result of the application conformity check applied to Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 commissioning permit application dated 17/3/2023 of Akkuyu Nuclear A.Ş. have been notified to the Company.
April 20th, 2023
Based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear Inc. dated 7/9/2022, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority granted permission to bring nuclear fuel to the Akkuyu NPP site with its decision dated 20/4/2023 and numbered 2023-35/7.
April 7th, 2023
Commissioning permit for systems, structures and components related to bringing fresh fuel to the site is granted by the decision number 2023-35/7 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on April 7th, 2023.
March 27th, 2023
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for commissioning permit of systems, structures and components related to bringing fresh nuclear fuel to Akkuyu site.
March 17th, 2023
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for commissioning permit of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1.
January 26th, 2023
Akkuyu Nükleer A.Ş.'nin 19/1/2023 tarihli başvurusuna istinaden Nükleer Düzenleme Kurulunun 26/1/2023 tarihli ve 2023-8/6 sayılı kararıyla "Su Alma Yapılarına İlişkin Tasarım Değişikliği" onaylanmıştır.
October 28th, 2021
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated May 12th, 2020, by the decision number 2021-51/3-1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on October 28th, 2021, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
June 30th, 2021
Limited work permit is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated May 12th, 2020, by the decision number 2021-35/2 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on June 30th, 2021, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
November 13th, 2020
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 3 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated March 28th, 2019, by the decision number 2020-71/2-1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on November 13th, 2020, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
July 23rd, 2020
Limited work permit is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 3 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated March 28th, 2019, by the decision number 2020-46/1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on July 23rd, 2020, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
July 3rd, 2020
NDK (Nuclear Regulatory Authority) completed application conformity check and started review and assessment process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 4 construction license application.
May 12th, 2020
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 4.
August 26th, 2019
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated June 22nd, 2018, by the decision number 2019-44/1-1 of Nuclear Regulatory Board on August 26th, 2019, in accordance with the Decree Law 702 Energy and related regulations.
March 28th, 2019
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 3.
November 30th, 2018
Limited work permit is given to Akkuyu Nuclear JSC for Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 at the 149th meeting of Atomic Energy Commission.
July 23rd, 2018
TAEK completed application conformity check and started review and assessment process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 construction license application.
June 22nd, 2018
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 2.
April 2nd, 2018
Construction license is granted for the Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 based on the application of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC dated March 2nd, 2017, by the decision number 148/2 of the Atomic Energy Commisssion on March 30th, 2018, in accordance with the Law on Turkish Atomic Energy Authority and related regulations.
October 19th, 2017
Limited work permit is given to Akkuyu Nuclear JSC for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 at the 146th meeting of Atomic Energy Commission.
May 5th, 2017
First set of additional information requests was sent to Akkuyu Nuclear JSC regarding missing information for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
April 18th, 2017
TAEK completed application conformity check and started review and assessment process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
March 8th, 2017
TAEK completed completeness check and started application conformity check for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
March 6th, 2017
TAEK started completeness check process for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 construction license application.
March 2nd, 2017
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied for construction license of Akkuyu NPP Unit 1.
February 9th, 2017
The Site Parameters Report (Revision 04), which is presented by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC and which includes the results of detailed site investigations performed at the NPP site and the precise values of the project parameters, is approved by TAEK.
March 17th, 2015
After Updated Site Report, which is presented by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, is approved by Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK), the Turkish version of the report is requested from Akkuyu Nuclear JSC. The unofficial Turkish translation of the Updated Site Report, which is prepared by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC is sent to TAEK.
November 26th, 2014
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC presented “Site Parameters Report- Revision 1” of Akkuyu NPP according to Article 12 of “Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations” and Article 5-2(b) of “Akkuyu Site License, License Conditions” to TAEK. The site parameters report is prepared in English and includes the results of detailed site investigations performed at the NPP site and the precise values of the project parameters.
November 14th, 2014
APC submitted the revised list and the report on “Regulations, Guides and Standards Forming Licensing Basis for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant” according to the “Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants”. TAEK reviewed the list and the report. TAEK Atomic Energy Commission approved the “List of Licensing Basis Requirements, Guides and Standards and its Approval Conditions for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant-Revision 2”.
August, 2014
The technical and financial evaluation of the bids of qualified candidates for procurement of technical support for TAEK has been completed. TAEK has signed the contract with the UJV Rez, a.s. of Czech Republic.
December 6th, 2013
The Updated Site Report submitted by Akkuyu NGS Elektrik Üretim A. Ş. is found appropriate.
July 9th, 2013
APC submitted “Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Project” to Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
June 26th, 2013
APC revised the “Updated Site Report” according to preliminary assessment and additional information requests of TAEK and re-submitted.
November 2nd, 2012
APC submitted the list and the report on “Regulations, Guides and Standards Forming Licensing Basis for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant” according to the “Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants”. TAEK reviewed the list and the report. TAEK Atomic Energy Commission approved the “List of Licensing Basis Requirements, Guides and Standards and its Approval Conditions for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant-Revision 1”.
August 16th, 2012
APC submitted a reference plant proposal to TAEK according to the “Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants”. TAEK reviewed this report and Atomic Energy Commission approved Novovoronezh-2 Nuclear Power Plant in Russian Federation as the reference plant for Akkuyu NPP.
August 10th, 2012
TAEK requested additional information and documents from APC for assessment of the “Updated Site Report”.
June 8th, 2012
TAEK finished application conformity check of “Updated Site Report” from format and content point of view. TAEK notified APC that application is accepted and detailed assessment of the report started.
June 1st, 2012
" Stress Tests National Report of Turkey" which was prepared by TAEK is sent to European Commission.
May 21st, 2012
APC completed the first stage of site investigations and submitted “Updated Site Report” to TAEK for assessment.
October 13th, 2011
TAEK declared “Conditions for Akkuyu Site License” as a complementary of the site license.
June 23rd, 2011
Turkey signed the Joint Declaration on comprehensive risk and safety assessments of nuclear plants, so called "Stress "Tests".
March 31st, 2011
APC started site investigations in Akkuyu for updating the site characteristics and parameters according to the national procedures laid out in the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations.
February 28th, 2011
TAEK recognized APC as the owner.
February 7th, 2011
APC applied to the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) for being recognized as an owner, according to the Article 6 of the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations.
December 13th, 2010
Russian party established a company, “Akkuyu NGS Elektrik Üretim A.Ş.” (APC: Akkuyu Project Company) to build, operate and decommission the NPP units.
May 12th, 2010
The governments of Turkey and Russian Federation signed an agreement to cooperate for constructing and operating a nuclear power plant. “Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on cooperation in relation to the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Republic of Turkey” envisaged establishing 4 units of 1200 MWe Russian design VVER reactors in Akkuyu site.
