The Akkuyu NPP construction site and the construction region of Turkey's first nuclear power plant (the project is being implemented by the Russian state corporation Rosatom) were visited by a delegation of journalists and public figures, and experts from the Republic of Kazakhstan. A rich program of the visit included a visit to the main facilities of the NPP under construction, a meeting with representatives of local authorities, visits to local agricultural and industrial enterprises.
On the first day of the visit, the delegation members visited the NPP construction site with a sightseeing tour. Having passed the safety briefing, which is mandatory for all visitors to the nuclear power plant under construction, the guests went to Power Unit No. 1, where they visited the central hall of the reactor compartment. The next points on the route were the Eastern cargo terminal and the storage warehouse for bulky equipment, where the delegation examined the reactor vessel of Power Unit No. 3 under installation. Then the delegation members visited Turkey's first training center for the training of NPP operational personnel, where they talked with Turkish engineers who graduated from the training program for specialists in the nuclear industry. Also, guests from Kazakhstan climbed to the observation site, which offers a panoramic view of the future power units and plant infrastructure.
Following a detailed tour of the Akkuyu NPP construction site, the guests were greeted by Vadim Titov, General Director of the Private Institution Rusatom International Network, and Sergei Butckikh, Chief Executive Officer of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC. Vadim Titov demonstrated a presentation to the delegation on the topic "Experience in Implementing Rosatom State Corporation Projects Abroad". Sergei Butckikh spoke on the status of the Akkuyu NPP project, separately focusing on the issues of production localization and the impact on the socio-economic development of the region. According to the CEO of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, a significant part of the materials and equipment for the needs of the plant under construction are produced at Turkish enterprises with appropriate quality certificates.
We regularly receive delegations from foreign countries at the Akkuyu NPP site, this is an important part of our work. Turkey has overcome a long way from signing an intergovernmental agreement with Russia till present, when we moved on to full-scale commissioning at Power Unit No.1. We passed all the stages of NPP construction without exception – engineering surveys, creation of a license base and legislative infrastructure, preparation of an environmental impact report, formation of supply chains and much more - for the first time. However, now Turkey has formed a roadmap for the development of nuclear energy, which will allow for the implementation of other nuclear power plant projects in the optimal time with regard to the experience gained. We are willing to share this experience with our guests and potential partners of Rosatom State Corporation.
- said Sergei Butskikh, Chief Executive Officer of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC.
More than 34 thousand workers and specialists are engaged at the Akkuyu NPP construction site, over 1200 of them are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Journalists recorded video interviews with some of them, in which specialists from Kazakhstan shared inspiring stories of their work at one of the world largest nuclear construction sites. Each of them expressed its willingness to apply its experience and competencies in its homeland if Kazakhstan decides to build a nuclear power plant on its territory.
Members of the Kazakh delegation took part in a meeting with representatives of local authorities on the second day of the visit. The foreign guests were received by the Head of the Administration of the Silifke district, Abdullah Aslaner, representatives of the municipality of Silifke, Heads of the regional Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
There are no industries in our district that would not be affected by the NPP construction: growth is noted in the economy, in trade, and in the housing construction sector. Local entrepreneurship is developing rapidly. Our entrepreneurs and artisans have increased their incomes by an average of 3-4 times in recent years. The road transport infrastructure is actively developing.
- Abdullah Aslaner pointed out.
Guests from Kazakhstan visited the construction site of a residential town for Akkuyu NPP personnel In continuation of the visit program. Construction of a modern and comfortable residential cluster (1st stage), designed to accommodate 10 thousand people, is entering the final stage: the first residents are expected to be accomodated in 2025. The residential town will organically fit into the surrounding residential building and will become a separate full-fledged quarter of the city of Silifke. The territory of the residential town will be an open space for local residents who will receive additional employment opportunities, and local companies will have business development opportunities.
Members of the Kazakh delegation got acquainted with the work of agricultural and industrial enterprises at the end of the trip to the Akkuyu NPP construction region: they visited farms where local residents grow bananas, lemons, peaches and other products, as well as a factory where innovative production of dried fruits by deep freezing has been established.
Guests from Kazakhstan shared their impressions of the visit:
Advisor to the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Shyngys Ilyasov:
I had a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the world's largest project, the Akkuyu NPP for three days. I was impressed not only by the scale and significance of this project but also by the beauty of the surrounding nature. We were particularly impressed by the conditions created for the workers, which indicates the high social responsibility of Rosatom. The Russian state corporation not only builds advanced nuclear power facilities, but also makes a significant contribution to the city development, which confirms Rosatom's leadership in this area.