Turkey turns its eyes to Russia, China for nuclear energy

2024-06-01 21:41:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Turkey has announced that it will put its first nuclear power plant into operation this year. The plant has a nuclear reactor manufactured by Russian specialists and there are already plans for a second plant to be built with the help of Russia. As Voice of America correspondent Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul, Turkey may also turn to China to help build a third power plant.

The Russian company Rosatom is nearing completion of Turkey's first nuclear power plant, and Ankara says it has plans to build a second nuclear power plant with Russian technology.

As Western governments tighten sanctions on Russia, analysts say nuclear power is key for Moscow to avoid financial isolation.

"Rosatome is not only found in Turkey; it is also in Hungary, Finland, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and wants the project in Turkey to be successful, to serve as an example for others. Therefore, Putin will put maximum pressure on Erdogan", says Mehmet Ogutcu, from the Energy Club of London.

The Akkuyu nuclear plant has become an important symbol of the strengthening of relations between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

Ankara is determined to reduce its dependence on imported energy, and analysts say it has little choice but Russia - the only country willing to finance the $20 billion project.

"The problem is that the West is not ready to invest in Turkey. So we would be more than happy for Japanese, European, or American companies to build or help build Turkey's energy infrastructure, including the nuclear one. But they are not ready to finance such major projects", says Mithat Rende, energy consultant.

However, experts are questioning the decision to increase Turkey's dependence on Russian energy.

"Turkey relies heavily on Russia for natural gas, crude oil, coal and other petrochemical products. And politically it's a pretty warm relationship. It is not a good idea to return to interdependence with Russia with these nuclear plants. Because today you can be friends with Putin, but God knows what will happen in two or three years", says Mr. Ogutcu.

Ankara has also started talks with China and South Korea about building a third reactor. Analysts say that for China, such a project would be in line with Beijing's new strategy to support large infrastructure projects.

"The changed strategy is to invest in green energy, and I mean renewable energy. The Chinese are very active in this regard. Chinese companies have become very competitive indeed. If realized, it would be one of the most important Chinese investments, not only in Turkey, but I think also in the region", says Cardas Ungor, from Marmara University.

But analysts warn that Turkey's Western allies will be worried by Ankara's long-term engagement with major Russian and Chinese energy projects, as tensions with Moscow and Beijing continue./ Voa