Two Key Milestones Achieved at Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant
Two significant developments have been reported at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) construction site in Mersin, built by Rosatom. According to a news report, the reactor pressure vessel of the third unit of the plant was positioned in the design location using "open top" technology, while the first batch of fresh nuclear fuel produced for the second unit was delivered to the site.
Installation of the reactor pressure vessel for the third unit has been completed. According to a statement from Rosatom, the reactor pressure vessel for the third unit was mounted in the pressurized area from the open top of the cylindrical part of the reactor building using "open top" technology. This technology allows for the supply of equipment and optimal assembling of works prior to the installation of the dome part of the internal protection shell. A commission made up of experts from Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, as well as independent auditing organizations Turkish Loydu and the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK), supervised the quality of the installation and confirmed the successful completion of the work.
The nuclear fuel for the second unit has reached the site. The first batch of nuclear fuel for the second unit was delivered to the Akkuyu NPP site in the last days of the year. The fuel assemblies were delivered in special transport containers in accordance with international nuclear safety requirements and placed in the fresh fuel storage facility. Sergey Butckikh, CEO of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, emphasized that field operations are being carried out dynamically and in a coordinated manner, indicating that the fuels were transported by land and sea to Turkey in leak-proof containers.
Akkuyu NPP is Turkey's first nuclear power plant. Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant to be built in Turkey and consists of four power units, each with a capacity of 1200 megawatts, featuring Russian-designed Generation 3+ VVER reactors. It is noted that the project is the first implemented globally under the "Build-Own-Operate" model. CEO Butckikh stated that meticulous preparation and the involvement of highly qualified specialists are ongoing in other construction and installation operations at the site.