Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.

Turkey to sign deal with China for building new nuclear plant

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Sep 2023 14:40
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Should the deal materialize, China will contribute to the construction of Turkey's third nuclear power plant.

  • x
  • Construction work on the Russian-built Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Mersin Province in Turkey on 26 April 2023 (AFP)
    Construction work on the Russian-built Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Mersin Province in Turkey on 26 April 2023 (AFP)

Turkey and China are on the brink of finalizing a potential contract for the construction of a new nuclear power plant. This move is part of Turkey's strategy to reduce its reliance on oil and gas imports.

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed that negotiations are expected to conclude "in the coming months." Chinese officials have already visited the prospective plant site, located near the borders of Bulgaria and Greece.

During a recent press conference, Bayraktar stated, "We've been engaged in extensive discussions with a Chinese company for a considerable duration," and he expressed confidence that any remaining differences would not be significant obstacles. He added, "Therefore, we anticipate bridging the gaps and reaching an agreement with China for the nuclear power program soon."

If the deal does go through, China would aid in building what will count as Turkey’s third nuclear power plant - the first being under construction by Russia on the Mediterranean coast, and the second on the Black Sea coast is currently in the planning stage. 

Sino-Turk cooperation for the win

Related News

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm el-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Trump, regional leaders sign Gaza deal in Sharm El-Sheikh summit

Bayraktar did reveal that Russia’s Rosatom and South Korean firms are expressing interest in building the second plant, but Turkey is seeking local participation more. 

Read next: Russia will do everything to meet Turkey's natural gas needs: Putin

The potential deal would be considered a commercial victory for China as its nuclear industry failed to entice international buyers for its Hualong-1 reactor, and it is currently negotiating with countries like Argentina and Saudi Arabia for more sales, but Pakistan remains the only foreign country operating the reactor.

Bayraktar believes that Turkey’s ultimate objective is to increase electricity output from nuclear power to 20 gigawatts, which is almost four times what the Akkuyu plant can generate when it’s fully operational in a few years. To achieve that, Turkey will most likely need an additional capacity of 5 gigawatts from small modular reactors, known as SMRs, per the minister.

“We’d like to create a broader nuclear ecosystem in Turkey,” Bayraktar said. “We need nuclear for a successful energy transition toward 2050,” which is when Turkey expects its $1 trillion economy to be carbon neutral.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project in Turkey holds strategic significance for Russia and Turkey, fostering the growth of economic and neighborly relations between the two nations.

He emphasized that "this is a flagship project, it brings both mutual economic benefits and certainly contributes to strengthening the multifaceted partnership between our two states, which is based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect for and consideration of each other's interests."

  • Turkey
  • China
  • Alparslan Bayraktar
  • Nuclear Power

Most Read

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian prisoners carry rifles as they arrive in the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian resistance remains steadfast, victorious Larijani says

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Laffan inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarskhna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanonese Army)
Politics

Lebanese Army chief: Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon's security

Hamas fighters escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

154 Palestinian prisoners exiled to Egypt under exchange deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, October 13, 2025 in Occupied Al-Quds. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Politics

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm el-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS