President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced today that the first electricity from the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is slated to be delivered by the end of this year, marking a significant milestone in Turkey’s energy diversification and independence efforts.
Speaking at the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, President Erdoğan highlighted the near completion of crucial works at the Akkuyu NPP, located in the southern Mersin province. He stated that the turbine installation of the plant’s first reactor has been finalized, and the shaft has been successfully rotated, signifying a critical step towards operational readiness.
“We have left behind an important stage,” President Erdoğan declared. “By the end of this year, we will begin trial production and deliver the first electricity from Akkuyu.”
The Akkuyu NPP is Turkey’s first nuclear power plant and is being constructed by Russia’s state nuclear energy agency, Rosatom. The project comprises four VVER-1200 reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, bringing the plant’s total installed capacity to 4,800 megawatts.
President Erdoğan emphasized the substantial impact the full commissioning of the Akkuyu NPP will have on Turkey’s energy security, projecting a decrease of 7 billion cubic meters in the country’s annual natural gas imports. This reduction translates to an estimated saving of $2.5 billion annually.
Turkey’s Broader Energy Strategy
The President’s address also touched upon Turkey’s comprehensive energy policies aimed at reducing foreign dependence and bolstering domestic production. He shared encouraging figures regarding oil production in the Gabar region, where daily output has exceeded 81,000 barrels.
“When we achieve the desired outcome in our efforts for a terror-free Turkey, which we are carrying out with sensitivity, we will write a completely different story,” President Erdoğan asserted, linking energy independence to national security and stability. He noted that over 26 million barrels of oil, valued at nearly $2 billion, have been produced in Gabar to date, accompanied by the construction of 540 kilometers of new roads in the area.
Nationwide, Turkey’s daily oil production reached a new record of over 135,000 barrels by the end of March 2025.
Gas Exploration and Diversification
President Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to becoming a global player in natural gas and oil exploration. He mentioned ongoing seismic activities in three locations and announced that Turkey’s floating production platform in Çanakkale will commence operations in the Sakarya gas field next year.
The Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea is projected to reach a daily production capacity of approximately 20 million cubic meters in 2026 with the completion of Phases 1 and 2, with a target of increasing this to 40 million cubic meters by 2028.
Furthermore, President Erdoğan outlined plans for a new pipeline from the Caspian Sea to transport Turkmen gas to Turkey, building on the initial gas flow from Turkmenistan through Iran, which has so far delivered over 250 million cubic meters. The aim is to extend the current agreement for another five years, with the ultimate goal of securing a higher volume of gas flow for both Turkey and Europe via the Caspian route.
Strategic Importance of Turkey’s Energy Hub Role
President Erdoğan underscored Turkey’s strategic geographical location and its proximity to hydrocarbon reserves, positioning the country as a crucial contributor to global energy supply and security. He emphasized that Turkey’s energy security is a matter of close interest to the entire world.
“We have made very important breakthroughs in recent times to make Turkey a safe center for global energy,” President Erdoğan stated. “The goal of our national energy policies is clear: to reduce foreign dependence in energy and mining. We have broken new ground in this area with the discoveries in the Black Sea and Gabar. Now, we are taking these successes to a new level. We will make Turkey a global actor in natural gas and oil exploration.”
He concluded by stating that Turkey will forge new collaborations in the energy sector across the globe, making unique contributions to energy security in this new era.
The imminent delivery of the first electricity from the Akkuyu NPP marks a pivotal moment for Turkey, promising to reshape its energy landscape and reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels. The project aligns with the nation’s broader vision of becoming a key energy hub in the region.
