Türkiye - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Türkiye has no operable reactors. Four VVER-1200 units are under construction at Akkuyu, under Rosatom's first-ever build-own-operate (BOO) contract. Construction of unit 1 began in April 2018. The four units are scheduled to start up sequentially over 2026-2028.
Table Tr.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Cumulative carbon dioxide emissions avoided 1970-2025 (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | 4 | 4800 | - |
Nuclear policy and outlook
Türkiye aims for 20,000 MWe of nuclear capacity by 2050, supporting its carbon-neutrality goal for 2053. In November 2025 the energy minister set out a 2050 target of 12 large reactors (four at Akkuyu, the rest at Sinop and in Thrace) and 5000 MWe of SMRs.
Inceburun, Sinop, is the location for the planned second plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK) approved the site in April 2024, but no partner or technology has been chosen. TÜNAŞ, the nuclear subsidiary of state generator EUAS, has signed initial agreements with Kepco and Candu Energy.
Discussions are underway with Chinese companies on a third plant in Kırklareli province in Thrace.
Regarding SMRs, in March 2020, EUAS signed a memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce to evaluate their applicability in Türkiye. In September 2026 the US Trade and Development Agency signed an agreement with TÜNAŞ to evaluate SMR designs from four US companies, as well as five advanced US reactor designs.
Table Tr.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | 4800 | - | 9600 | - | 20,000 | 5600 | 20,000 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Türkiye’s first plant, Akkuyu, is approaching start-up. Realization of the 20,000 MWe ambition depends on Sinop and Thrace, where no partner or technology has been chosen.
| Country Category | Newcomer |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Moderate-High Turkey has a 20,000 MWe nuclear capacity target for 2050. Construction on Akkuyu is at an advanced stage, but progress on the second and third sites is at a very early stage. |
| Institutional & Infrastructure Readiness | Moderate-High Türkiye has a regulator and trained workforce and will soon be gaining experience of commercial reactor operation, but depends heavily on Russian capability at Akkuyu. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | Moderate-High Four reactors are under construction, and the first unit is due to commence operation by the end of 2026. However, Sinop has no partner, technology or financing arrangement, and Thrace and the SMR programme are at pre-project stages |
| Target Achievability | Moderate-High Completion of Akkuyu is highly likely. The further 15,200 MWe needed for 20,000 MWe is uncommitted. |