Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 23, The Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey’s Mersin province has reached a significant milestone with the installation of the main circulation pump units at its second unit. This step completes the placement of all primary equipment for the reactor unit, advancing the construction of the country’s first nuclear facility.

The four main circulation pumps are essential for circulating coolant through the reactor core’s primary circuit, operating under high pressure—approximately 160 times atmospheric pressure—and temperatures around 300 degrees Celsius. These units were installed using a crane through the open top of the reactor’s cylindrical containment structure.

Sergey Butskikh, Director General of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, announced: “Having installed the main circulation pumps, we have completed the assembly of the main equipment of the reactor unit of the second power unit. The reactor vessel, steam generators, and safety system hydraulic tanks are already in place, and we will soon begin welding the main circulation pipeline to connect all these components.”

Located in southern Turkey, the Akkuyu plant is being developed by Rosatom, which is constructing four VVER-1200 reactors under a build-own-operate model. Construction of the first unit began in 2018, with all four units currently under development. The plant, with a total capacity of 4800 MWe, is projected to supply approximately 10% of Turkey’s electricity demand. The goal is to have all four units operational by the end of 2028.

This progress underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance Turkey’s energy infrastructure through sustainable nuclear power, contributing to the nation’s long-term energy needs.