BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 12. Russia and
Türkiye discussed progress on their key bilateral projects with
particular focus on the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power
Plant, Trend reports
via the press service of the Russian President.


The discussions took place during an expanded-format meeting
between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, held on the sidelines of the International
Forum of Neutrality in Turkmenistan.


A central topic of the dialogue was the Akkuyu Nuclear Power
Plant project, the largest bilateral energy initiative between
Russia and Türkiye, and Türkiye's first nuclear power facility. The
sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the remaining stages
of the project, underscoring its significance for Turkey's
long-term energy security.


The agenda also encompassed a comprehensive review of ongoing
economic cooperation, including initiatives in transportation,
industry, and the energy sector, all of which continue to progress
despite a challenging global context. Officials highlighted that
the diverse nature of Russian-Turkish collaboration has played a
key role in ensuring stability in trade flows and investment
activities.







Furthermore, Putin and Erdoğan exchanged perspectives on
regional and international issues, while reaffirming that practical
economic cooperation, anchored by flagship projects such as Akkuyu,
remains a strategic priority for both nations.


The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) stands as the cornerstone
of the energy partnership between Türkiye and Russia. Located in
the southern province of Mersin, the facility represents a
substantial investment, estimated between $20 billion and $25
billion. The plant will feature four VVER-1200 Generation III+
reactors, collectively designed to deliver a total capacity of
4,800 MW, with each unit providing 1,200 MWe. Upon its completion,
with the first unit scheduled for operation in 2026, the NPP is
projected to supply approximately 10% of Türkiye's total
electricity demand, significantly diminishing the nation’s
dependence on imported natural gas and oil. This transition is
expected to reduce Türkiye’s annual natural gas import costs by
approximately $1.5 billion.


Developed under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, the project
is spearheaded by a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom,
which bears the responsibility for the full spectrum of investment,
construction, and operation.