Rosatom was the main partner of the 18th EIF (Energy is Future) 2024 World Energy Congress and Expo, which ended on October 11, 2024, in Istanbul (Türkiye). The event was supported by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology of the Republic of Türkiye. Rosatom took an active role in the business program and presented promising areas of cooperation at its booth.
Anton Dedusenko, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC Board of Directors Chairperson, took part in the opening ceremony of the congress, highlighting the pivotal role of nuclear power in addressing the issues on the country’s energy agenda. “The Akkuyu NPP project remains an unmatched project in terms of investment and the social and economic effects that it creates. This includes a boost for the national GDP, thousands of new jobs, development of high-tech sectors, and multiple other positive implications. Nuclear energy is a vital component in building a low-carbon energy portfolio and reducing carbon emissions. In our view, the momentum is here for nuclear energy to be included in Türkiye’s taxonomy for sustainable activities. This official recognition of nuclear as a reliable low-carbon energy source will secure more favourable conditions for ongoing and prospective projects in the country,” he stated.
Denis Sezemin, Director of Construction and Production Organization at Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, provided an update on the status of Akkuyu NPP, the first nuclear power plant in Türkiye. “Construction of the first power unit of Akkuyu NPP is nearing completion. We have been deploying all our resources and facilities for the its commissioning. In this regard, all systems and components are being gradually prepared for operational status and checked for compliance with design specifications. Progress on the other power units is proceeding as scheduled,” he emphasized.
Polina Lion, Chief sustainability officer at Rosatom, addressed the significance of incorporating nuclear power into “green” policies during a session focused on the development of carbon markets. She emphasized that the climate agenda has united the international community, which has increasingly recognized the vital role of nuclear energy in addressing climate challenges. This was particularly evident in the outcome documents of the COP28 Climate Conference held last year in Dubai. “Integrating nuclear energy into the climate policies and regulatory frameworks of the countries, including Türkiye, will enable us to fully harness the low-carbon potential of nuclear power and support the implementation of national projects for achieving carbon neutrality,” she stated.
Additionally, Rosatom’s representatives made presentations that highlighted the company’s extensive product portfolio for the Turkish market, emphasizing energy solutions, lithium-ion batteries, and energy storage devices. Rosatom’s booth showcased innovative projects centred around high-capacity nuclear power generation featuring VVER-1200 reactor technology, as implemented at the Akkuyu NPP site. Participants were able to experience a visualization of the plant project through an interactive augmented reality application.
Participants also explored small nuclear power plants projects in both onshore and floating configurations, as well as Rosatom’s initiatives in wind energy and energy storage solutions. Representatives of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC answered questions about procurement activities for the project of the first NPP in Türkiye in the B2B area.
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The Energy Is Future World Congress and Expo (EIF) is one of the largest events in Türkiye, focusing on the energy sectors of the Middle East and North Africa. It attracts government officials, academic experts, leading specialists from the energy industry, regulators, market analysts, and investment professionals.
Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant being constructed in the Republic of Türkiye. The project includes four power units, each equipped with Russian-designed VVER generation 3+ reactors, with a capacity of 1,200 MW per unit. This project is noteworthy as it is the first in the global nuclear industry to be implemented according to the Build-Own-Operate model.
Russia continues to maintain a constructive dialog with its foreign colleagues, developing mutually beneficial cooperation. The implementation of major foreign energy projects also continues. Rosatom and its entities take an active part in these initiatives.
