The Akkuyu Power Plant is the only large nuclear power plant in Turkey and is under construction at Akkuyu, in Büyükeceli, Mersin Province. It is expected to generate around 11% of the country’s electricity when completed.
History:
Engineering and survey work started at the site in 2011. The construction of the first unit began in 2016, with the four units put into service in 2022–25. In 2013, Russian nuclear construction company Atomstroyexport (ASE) and Turkish construction company Ozdogu signed the site preparation contract for the proposed Akkuyu nuclear power plant. The contract includes excavation work at the site. The official launch ceremony took place in April 2015, and the first unit is expected to be completed in 2022 but was completed in 2023. Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Project features are given in below:
-First Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey
-First Rosatom BOO (build-own-operate) project Under the IGA, Rosatom is responsible for engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of the plant
-Legal basis: AES-2006
-Total capacity: 4800 MW
-Implementation period: 2011-2023
-Total cost: 20 Billion Dollars
-Power Purchase Agreement for 15 years, fixed price terms
-Support of the Russian and Turkish Governments
-Maximization of Turkish personnel involvement in construction and operation of the plant.
-Job creation potential-up to 10000 for construction only.
It is hard to determine the potential impact of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant on environment in the context of soil, water and air. This topic has been divided two main sections. The first one investigates impact of the power plant while power plant is under construction. The other one investigate operation phase of power plant. These are where mainly the debate of this subject started from.
It is expected to be the first build–own–operate nuclear power plant in the world.
The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project has been a subject of debate and controversy for several reasons:
The Controversies:
Location and Seismic Activity:
Mersin is located in a seismically active region, and concerns have been raised about the safety of constructing a nuclear power plant in an area prone to earthquakes. Critics argue that the potential seismic risks could pose a threat to the facility’s safety.
Environmental Concerns:
Environmentalists have expressed concerns about the impact of the nuclear power plant on the local ecosystem, marine life, and the Mediterranean Sea. The cooling system of the plant, which involves discharging heated water into the sea, has raised environmental concerns.
On 17 April 2011 a human chain was formed in Mersin to protest the decision . It was planned that there would be 30 locations to form chains along the highway connecting Mersin to Akkuyu. But the participation was higher than expected and several of these chains were merged with. The east end of the chain was in Mersin midtown and it reached some 20 kilometers west along the highway uninterrupted. Also the settlements at the west including the district centers of Silifke and Erdemli as well as Büyükeceli, the town nearest to construction site participated. “The earthquake and tsunami in Japan proved how dangerous nuclear technology is,” said Sabahat Aslan, a spokesperson for the Mersin Anti-Nuclear Platform. “We organized this protest to say ‘no’ to nuclear power plants, which will put future generations in danger.
On 12 January 2015, it was reported that the signatures of specialists on a government-sanctioned environmental impact report had been forged. The specialists had resigned six months prior to its submission, and the contracting company had then made one-sided changes to the report. The revelation sparked protest in North Nicosia. The construction of the Akkuyu plant is controversial in Cyprus, due to its close proximity to the island.
Financing and Ownership:
The financing and ownership structure of the project have also been points of contention. The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is being developed by a Russian state-owned company, Rosatom. Some critics have raised questions about the financial aspects of the deal and the level of control and ownership by the Turkish government.
Public Opposition:
There has been public opposition to the nuclear power plant, with concerns about the potential health risks, environmental impact, and the long-term consequences of nuclear energy. Protests and activism have taken place to voice these concerns.
Geopolitical Considerations:
The involvement of a Russian state-owned company in the construction of the nuclear power plant has also raised geopolitical considerations. The project’s ties to Russia have been a subject of inpection in the context of Turkey’s broader geopolitical relations.
Conclusion:
The construction and operation phases of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant are anticipated to have significant environmental consequences for the region. Additionally, the project faces considerable social resistance, and these combined factors are likely to impact the public. The actual construction area, including the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and associated facilities, is estimated to cover approximately 896 hectares. The site, is in a bay surrounded by hills of approximately 200 meters in altitude, naturally isolates it from it’s surroundings. The coastal area within the site has a sandy beach, limited by rocks on the west and east. Also, the nearby beaches are considered fascinating, contributing to the site’s aesthetic value. However, the installation of intake and discharge lines is expected to disrupt the shoreline. The environmental impacts associated with dredging and underwater construction are challenging to control the potential for significant damage, particularly as the dredging areas are extensive and host valuable organisms. Consequently, the effects of construction on the marine environment are expected to be significant.
The construction of transmission lines is also planned to change the present land use. The proposed transmission corridor goes through forested areas, cultivated land, and pasture.
Furthermore, the operational phase of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is likely to result in environmental concerns related to the withdrawal of condenser cooling water and the discharge of water (thermal effects). The discharge of heated water into the Mediterranean Sea is expected to impact marine ecology.
To ensure the safety of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, sticking to the updated license security requirements is obligatory. These security measures have evolved in response to accidents at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant, and incorporating them into the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is essential.
