Bayraktar: Nuclear Power Plant is Not a Choice, but a Necessity

Foreks - The number of Turkish nuclear engineers working at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has exceeded 350. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, stated that these young engineers will play a key role in the development of Turkey's nuclear infrastructure and nuclear industry, saying, “Turkey will take a strategic step towards energy independence with this mega project and trained Turkish nuclear engineers.”

Employment for Graduates Turkey continues to send students to Russia to receive undergraduate and graduate education in the field of nuclear energy as part of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Project. All Turkish engineers who have successfully completed their education in fields such as Nuclear Power Plant Management and Control Systems, Nuclear Power Plant Project Planning and Operation, Radiation Safety, Electrical Engineering, Thermodynamics, and Automation Systems Management have started working at Akkuyu NPP.

Nuclear Energy is a Necessity, Not a Preference Minister Alparslan Bayraktar highlighted that Turkey's energy demand has doubled due to its growing economy and increasing population, stating, “Energy supply security, reducing foreign dependence, and achieving carbon neutrality are not preferences but necessities, along with renewable energy sources.” He emphasized the importance of both nuclear technologies and qualified engineers in reaching these goals, stating, "The number of Turkish nuclear engineers who have undergone six and a half years of special nuclear training in Russia and have successfully graduated to work at Akkuyu NPP has exceeded 350. Turkish engineers who have completed their undergraduate and graduate education in nuclear fields in Russia will play a pivotal role in the formation of our country's nuclear infrastructure and industry. Turkey will take a strategic step towards energy independence with this mega project and trained Turkish nuclear engineers."

We Will Advance Our Country in Nuclear Technology Ebru Adıgüzel, a Fuel Control Specialist Engineer and one of the first graduates of this important education project who has been working at Akkuyu NPP for six and a half years, stated that they continue to receive additional training in their areas of expertise in the nuclear field. Adıgüzel commented, “I am proud to be part of the first group of students who studied in Russia. Turkey is one of the countries ready to advance in nuclear technology. The Akkuyu nuclear power plant is our first, and we will continue to work with these colleagues in future power plants. We will advance our country to better and more advanced nuclear technologies.”

Proud to Be Part of This Project Engineer Sefa Duman, who studied in Russia for approximately seven and a half years and works as a Neutron Physics Calculation Specialist at Akkuyu NPP, described the project as a technology transfer project. He noted that Akkuyu NPP has the most advanced systems in terms of nuclear technology and safety, stating, “With the experience we gain from Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, the nuclear industry in our country is developing very rapidly, and infrastructure is being prepared for the construction of the second and third power plants. I, like all my Turkish engineer colleagues, am very proud to be part of such a vital project for our country's future.”