Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, is entering the final stages of construction in the southern province of Mersin, marking a major step in the country’s push to expand nuclear energy.

Around 23,000 workers and 2,000 pieces of equipment are currently operating around the clock at the massive construction site, Qazinform reports.

The plant’s first of four planned power units, each with a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts, has already entered the testing phase.

Once Unit 1 begins commercial operation, it is expected to provide around 2-2.5% of Türkiye’s total electricity demand.

When all four reactors are operating at full capacity, Akkuyu is projected to generate approximately 35 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually - enough to cover about 10% of Türkiye’s electricity consumption, roughly equivalent to the power needs of Istanbul.

The Akkuyu project is being developed by Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom under an agreement signed in 2010.

The plant is designed for an initial 60-year operating life, with the possibility of extending it by another 20 years.

Construction is also advancing on the remaining reactors. Mechanical work is underway at Unit 2, while construction of Units 3 and 4 continues.

Akkuyu is also helping Türkiye develop its own nuclear energy workforce and industrial capabilities.

The project’s localization rate has exceeded 50%, with more than 400 Turkish companies involved in the construction and supply chain.

Hundreds of Turkish specialists have also studied at Russian universities as part of efforts to train personnel for Türkiye’s emerging nuclear energy sector.

The project is expected to serve as the foundation for Türkiye’s broader nuclear expansion.

Ankara plans to build eight additional nuclear reactors while also developing its own small modular reactor technologies.

Once all four Akkuyu units are fully operational, the plant is expected to reduce emissions by approximately 35 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent each year, adding another dimension to Türkiye’s long-term energy strategy.