Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Turkey

The Turkish Akkuyu nuclear power plant project looks to be on again. Delayed in 1999 and cancelled in 2000, the project was originally intended to produce 3,000MW. The first unit was expected to be commissioned in 2006 and the second in December 2007.

The Turkish government now however plans three nuclear plants with a total of 4,500MWe by 2015. The first units will 'probably' be built at Akkuyu because the site already has a license. The Turkish Constitutional Court in March 2008 rejected a request to cancel the plant, leaving the way open for companies to tender.

Akkuyu is located on the Mediterranean coast near Gülner and would be Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

The Akkuyu site has sea communications to bring in heavy machinery. It is close to centres of electricity consumption such as Adana, Konya, Antalya and Mersin. There is also a relatively low population density in the region.

AKKUYU PLANT BIDDING PROCESS

The bidding for the plant was originally announced on December 13th 1996. Bids were received by October 1997. The contract was supposed to have been awarded in October 1999, but the deadline was extended to 31st December 1999 and the project was eventually cancelled in July 2000.

These are the latest stages in a long history. The plant was first mooted in the 1970s, and bids were invited in 1977. However, the project fell through for financial reasons. Originally the second round of bidding was for a turnkey project, but this was changed to a build operate transfer (BOT). Discussions with a Canadian consortium led by AECL fell through partly for financial reasons, and partly because the Chernobyl accident threw uncertainty over the whole project. In the mid 1990s, the project was resumed, creating the present round of bidding.

Two bids for the 3,000MW plant were originally requested. The first (main) option had to have a maximum net output of 1,400(+5%) MW (with one or two units according to the size offered). The second option was to have a maximum net output of 2,800(+5%) MW (two or four units according to the size offered). The plant could be PWR, BWR or PHWR. The minimum unit size was 600MW, and the minimum plant size was 800MW.

The accepted bidder had to meet several criteria:

• Five years' experience with this type of power plant
• Licensed to operate in home country
• Experience of constructing and commissioning at least two nuclear plants previously
• Designation of a reference plant similar to Akkuyu
• Designs must not have had a previous accident

TURNKEY BASIS

The bid was to be for a nuclear power plant on a turnkey basis. This was to comprise a nuclear and turbine island, fuel storage system (with 20 years spent fuel capacity), coolant water intake and outlet structures and GIS Substation of 154kV and 380kV. In addition, the successful bidder had to supply two years fuel (during the warranty period), with an option to supply fuel for a total of seven years. The bidder would supply spare parts and supervise of the plant for the two year warranty period, and (optionally) for three years thereafter. The bidder would train the plant staff and construct the ancillary facilities.

Bids were submitted by three consortia. These were:

• Atomic Energy of Canada, in partnership with Turkish firms Guris and Gama Bayinder
• Westinghouse-Mitsubishi, in partnership with Turkish firms MNG and Enka
• NPI (Fromatone and Siemens), in partnership with Turkish firms Simko, Garanti Koza, STFA and Telefon

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT SITE

Largely because of nuclear's high 'hidden' costs and waste disposal problems, environmental groups tend to oppose all nuclear projects. In the case of Turkey, the area is also prone to earthquakes, with a 6.2 Richter earthquake having hit Adana, 180km from the plant site.

While the plant is being designed to withstand earthquakes of up to 6.5 on the Richter scale, the possibility of a stronger quake has caused concern.

A second reason for resistance in western countries is the possibility of nuclear weapons. Civil power plants can produce plutonium for military uses. The volatility of internal Turkish politics, and the country's chequered history with some of its neighbours, has made this a matter for concern.

In 2006, the Turkish government said it again planned to build nuclear power plants. The Turkish Parliament in May 2007 passed a law covering nuclear power plants, including construction, electricity sale, waste management and decommissioning.

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