Turkey will have its first 500 megawatt nuclear power plant by 2015. The Turkish government has decided to get the nuclear power plant working in the Sinopi region near the Black Sea. This nuclear power plant, which is going to be constructed throughout the course of 6-8 years, is expected to cover nearly 5% of all energetic expenses. The expenses for energy in Turkey increase year by year, although Turkey is not that known for its energy resources. Based on official data, by 2020, Turkey will need twice as much energetic resources than it does now.
“The construction of the nuclear power plant is very essential. One of the key issues facing the country is energetic independence and the diversification of power-generators received from other countries. But first of all, it’s important to solve the issue on finances-the nuclear power plant is the most expensive out of all the energetic structures,” says professor of the Nuclear Energy Institute of Istanbul Ahmed Bayulke during an interview with “Zaman”.
Recently, the Minister of Energy of Turkey and director of the nuclear energy agency have met with 14 large company representatives and have proposed making investments in the companies’ energetic sectors.
“I don’t understand why some people are going against this project. Armenia, France and other countries have nuclear power plants too. If there are some people that are worried over this, then they should negotiate with those countries too,” said the director of the nuclear energy institute of Turkey after the meeting with the businessmen.