Two Major Milestones Achieved in Akkuyu NPP's Units 2 and 3
In the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant's (NGS) third unit, one of the most important assembly operations during the construction phase, the installation of the reactor has been completed, while the fuel to be used in the second unit has also been successfully delivered to the site. Two significant operations were carried out at the construction site of the Akkuyu NGS, which is being built by the Russian State Nuclear Energy Corporation Rosatom in Mersin. The plant's heat assembly specialists positioned the reactor pressure vessel in its design location for the third power unit, while the first batch of fresh nuclear fuel for the second unit was delivered to the site.
The reactor pressure vessel for the third unit was installed using "Open top" technology. This technology allows for the supply of equipment to the pressurized area from the open top of the cylindrical part of the reactor building, enabling the efficient assembly of construction and installation work before the dome section of the inner protection casing is assembled.
Following the completion of the reactor pressure vessel's installation, a commission consisting of experts from Akkuyu Nuclear Inc., as well as independent auditing organizations such as Turkish Lloyd and the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK), conducted an inspection of the quality of the reactor vessel installation.
The nuclear fuel produced for the second unit also reached the Akkuyu NGS site in late 2024. The fuel assemblies were delivered to the site in special transport containers and placed in the fresh fuel storage facility, adhering to all international nuclear safety requirements.
Sergey Butckikh, General Manager of Akkuyu Nuclear Inc., stated regarding this matter: "As in previous years, the dynamics of the work on-site was very high in 2024. We accomplished the main operations outlined in the project plan. The heart of the third unit of Akkuyu NGS has been established, meaning we successfully completed the critical work related to the assembly of the nuclear reactor vessel. Like all other construction and installation operations on-site, the installation of the reactor vessel required meticulous preparation, highly qualified specialists, and special attention at every stage. Additionally, in December, we also delivered the first batch of fuel for the second unit to the Akkuyu NGS site. The fuel was transported to Turkey in leak-proof containers under strict coordination between Akkuyu Nuclear Inc.'s relevant units, the production facility, and regulatory authorities, via land and sea routes. Before being loaded into the reactor, the containers will be kept under special conditions in the fresh fuel storage facility at the NGS site."