Impact of sanctions against Russia on the construction of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant

Unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its war with Ukraine have raised new concerns about Turkey’s first nuclear power plant to be built by state-owned Russia Atom.

According to the news network website «AlgeriaAquio, Turkey’s first nuclear power plant on the Mediterranean coast near Mersin, is scheduled to open next year, but potential sanctions on third-country financing and equipment threaten the $ 20 billion project.

The Russian company Atom has so far evaded sanctions, but the option has reportedly been discussed by the United States. Banks such as Asberbank, Russia’s largest financial institution and major sponsor of the nuclear power plant, have been hit.

Aquio aims to provide 10 percent of its energy needs by launching four 1,200-megawatt reactors. According to the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority, the project will be fully funded by Russia.

Possible sanctions against Russia Atom could also affect the flow of equipment to Aquivo and prevent suppliers from providing equipment, technology and services to the energy industry.

Turkish and Russian officials are now discussing possible problems, including financing and equipment from third countries.

Meanwhile, some news sources recently wrote that Turkey is seeking nuclearization and that Turkey does not have much hope of adhering to its obligations under the treaties.

“I hope this does not happen, but it seems that Turkey is looking for it,” said Dr. Moritz Kot, a nuclear weapons expert and researcher at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg. He added that nuclear weapons would not ease the security situation, but would strengthen Turkey. The atomic bomb guarantees a place at the forefront of geopolitics, and an idea that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan loves.

The Turkish president has previously said that Ankara will soon prepare for the construction of two more nuclear power plants, which will be built after Aquivo in Mersin province.

“We are conducting our studies in response to the growing energy needs,” the Turkish president said. “We plan to launch the first Aquio nuclear power plant (NPP) in 2023. After the Aquio nuclear power plant, we will quickly prepare for the construction of the second and third power plants,” he said.

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