Search
Turkey
TURKEY
| First Nuclear Power Plant Opened: | There are no nuclear power plants currently operating in Turkey at this time. Plans are in the works. |
| Number and Types of Nuclear Power Plants: | There are no nuclear power plants currently in operation |
| Percentage of National Energy From Nuclear Power: | 0% (Plans indicat the Turkey will meet 8-10% of its energy demand with nuclear power, once the planned plants are built and put into operation) |
| Future Nuclear Power Plans: | There are plans to open three plants during the years 2012, 2014, and 2017, if the politicians decide that nuclear energy in Turkey is safe. |
ANALYSIS / ISSUES
Environmental groups tend to oppose nuclear projects in Turkey, as the area is prone to earthquakes. The plant planned for the Akkuyu site is being built to withstand earthquakes that are up to a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale. Even with this precaution being incorporated into the building design, the possibility of a stronger earthquake hitting the region could pose a threat. Western European countries are concerned with the possibility of nuclear power plants in Turkey because civil plants can produce plutonium that could be used for military purposes. The instability of Turkish politics and unstable relations with some of its neighboring countries has led to concern surrounding the possibility of military grade plutonium in Turkish military hands.