During a press statement, Vladimir Ivanovski, Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey said the nuclear plant to be built in Mersin Akkuyu may cost as high as USD 25 billion, while the initial costs were estimated at USD 20 billion.
Ivanovski said, “Our primary objective is to construct the nuclear plant. The initials costs were set at USD 20 billion; however it is likely that this figure may rise up to USD 25 billion. The groundbreaking of the Akkuyu nuclear plant will take place in 2013, while the first unit will be commissioned in 2019. The units will go into operation one after another each year and the plant will be completed in 2022, creating employment opportunities for at least 3,000 people.