Rosatom took part as a partner in the 12th International Nuclear Power Plants Summit NPPES 2026, which concluded on July 1, 2026, in Istanbul, Türkiye.
At the opening ceremony, Anton Dedusenko, Chairman of the Board of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, addressed the forum participants and noted the progress achieved in the implementation of the Akkuyu NPP project. The speaker noted that Rosatom is a leader in the global nuclear industry and is focused on international cooperation, as demonstrated by the project of Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant: “We concentrate our efforts to make 2026 the year of start-up for Unit 1 of Akkuyu NPP. Construction works at Unit 1 have been finished. We have already loaded simulated fuel assemblies into the reactor and completed the reactor assembly. Now we are performing cold hydraulic tests, which is one of the adjustment operations necessary to make sure the unit is ready for subsequent commissioning. This project unites the efforts of specialists from over 10 countries at the construction site itself, as well as an array of countries on our suppliers list, including EU member countries,” the speaker emphasized.
The status of the Akkuyu NPP project and its importance
for the development of Türkiye’s national nuclear industry were the focus of a
presentation by Esra Songur, Director for Sustainable Development and Relations
with Energy Companies and Business Associations at Akkuyu Nuclear JSC.
Climate agenda was one of the key topics of the Summit.
During a session dedicated to the role of nuclear energy in achieving global
emission reduction goals, Anton Dedusenko highlighted that nuclear energy is
not only a source of stable low-carbon generation, but also a technological
platform for addressing a broader range of climate and infrastructure
challenges. These technological solutions are already available, have practical
applications and can be adapted to the needs of specific countries and regions.
Igor Palamarchuk, Director of Rosatom Middle East and North Africa, presented
the State Corporation’s offering in the field of small-scale energy solutions.
In his speech, he noted that small modular reactors can become an effective
tool for meeting growing electricity demand, developing low-carbon generation,
and supplying energy-intensive consumers and industrial clusters, data centers
and water desalination facilities. Special emphasis was placed on the reference
nature of Rosatom’s technologies in this field, which makes it possible to
offer partners innovative solutions based on many years of experience in
operating small-scale energy facilities in Russia.
Representatives of the State Corporation also took part
in discussions on promising technological areas in nuclear energy. In
particular, they presented approaches to the development of innovative reactors
and Generation IV technologies, which open up additional opportunities for
improving the efficiency, safety and sustainability of nuclear generation.
The topics addressed during the business program were further reflected at Rosatom’s exhibition stand. Visitors to the State Corporation’s booth were able to learn about the progress of the Akkuyu NPP project, Rosatom’s technological solutions in large- and small-scale nuclear energy, innovative technologies for the final stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, including spent fuel reprocessing and removal, as well as other areas of comprehensive cooperation.
NPPES is a leading industry event in Türkiye. This year,
it brought together more than 1,100 delegates and 86 companies from countries
including South Korea, China, Canada, the United States, Germany, France,
Romania and others.
Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant under construction in the Republic of Türkiye. The Akkuyu NPP project includes four power units with Russian-designed Generation III+ VVER reactors. Each power unit of the NPP will have a capacity of 1,200 MW. To date, the project is fully financed by the Russian side. The construction of Akkuyu NPP is the first project in the global nuclear industry implemented under the Build-Own-Operate model. The project is being implemented under the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant at the Akkuyu site in the Republic of Türkiye, concluded between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye. The Russian side and the project customer are represented by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, which has undertaken obligations for the design, construction, maintenance, operation and decommissioning of the plant.
