Turkey will apply optimum safety measures in its two biggest nuclear power plant projects, the authorities guaranteed at an international summit here on Friday.
As the Soma coal mine accident has sparked a debate over the safety of building nuclear power plants in Turkey, the topic has become the main theme of the first Istanbul Nuclear Power Plants Summit. The accident that occurred over two weeks ago has killed 301 miners.
Though the authorities guaranteed that safety measures in Turkey's nuclear power plant projects will be at world's standard level, a number of people held an anti-nuclear demonstration outside of the conference venue, nine of whom were detained by police.
"We have to find optimum mix to prevent any possible accident. The target should be zero risk, but with today's technology this is not possible. Turkey has been taking all the world standard precautions," said Hasan Murat Mercan, deputy minister of energy and natural resource.
Energy security should be the most important issue in front of politicians, while the government's most important duty should be serving and securing energy to his citizens in a safe way, Mercan said.
Turkey has currently two nuclear power plants under construction. One is Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in the southern province of Mersin and the other to be built in the northern city of Sinop. Akkuyu plant's installed capacity will be around 4,800 megawatts, while Sinop about 4,500 megawatts.
According to Mercan, some 20,000 megawatts of nuclear power capacity would be essential for Turkey.
General Director of Akkuyu plant Fuad Akhundov also confirmed that the project has applied updated and necessary safety standards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Nuclear Safety Advice Group and the European Utility Requirements.
Upon completion, the two nuclear power plants will be able to save Turkey some 7.2 billion U.S. dollars from its gas import, which equals to about 10 to 15 percent of its current deficit.
Akkuyu plant is expected to meet about 17 percent of Turkey's electricity demand. The 20-billion-dollar project is constructed, operated and decommissioned by Russian Rosatam.
"Such an investment is the greatest foreign capital for Turkey. We offer the great opportunities for Turkish construction companies," Akhundov said, adding that more than 12,000 people will be working at the site at the peak of construction.
The power plant is scheduled to be operational by 2021, while Sinop nuclear power plant, which will be constructed in cooperation with France and Japan, should be completed by 2023.
Nuclear energy appeared on Turkey's agenda in 1956. Despite a significant investment in other technologies, the country today has somewhat lagged behind in terms of the nuclear aspect.
After China, Turkey comes second in the world in the growing demand for electricity, with an annual growth rate at around seven to eight percent, according to Akhundov. It is dependent on foreign sources to supply 75 percent of its total energy demand.
Mercan said that about 13 percent of the world's electricity today are nuclear, which is provided by 433 nuclear power plants in 37 countries. Another 72 nuclear plants are under construction.