Turkey says Russia gave it $9 billion in new financing for Akkuyu nuclear plant

Turkey's energy minister said Russia had provided new financing worth $9 billion for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant being built by Moscow's state nuclear energy company Rosatom, adding Ankara expected the power plant to be operational in 2026.



Rosatom is building Turkey's first nuclear power station at Akkuyu in the Mediterranean province of Mersin per a 2010 accord worth $20 billion. The plant was expected ‍to be operational this year, but has been delayed.



"This (financing) will most likely be used in 2026-2027. There will be at least $4-5 billion from there for 2026 in terms of foreign financing," Bayraktar told some local reporters at a briefing in Istanbul, according to a readout from his ministry.



He said Turkey was in talks with South Korea, China, Russia, and the United States on nuclear projects in the Sinop province and Thrace region, and added Ankara wanted to receive "the most competitive offer".



Bayraktar said Turkey wanted to generate nuclear power at home and aimed to provide clear figures on targets.