Turkey's first nuclear
power plant in the southern Turkish province of Mersin is making headway with
the issuance of a Limited Construction Permit (LCP) to build non-nuclear
structures, according to a statement on Friday.
Turkish Atomic Energy
Agency, Turkey's regulatory body, issued the LCP for the plant that will have
4,800 megawatts capacity in four units and a working lifespan of 8,000 hours
per year.
"The LCP allows the
beginning of construction and installation works at all facilities of the
nuclear power plant, except for buildings and structures important for nuclear
safety," the statement read.
"Obtaining the LCP is
a significant step forward for the Akkuyu project implementation. We are
actually moving from the preparatory stage to the construction phase at the
site. A major part of these construction works will be done by local
subcontractors," Yuriy Galanchuk, CEO of the Akkuyu Nuclear Co. was quoted
as saying.
"Our next task is to
get Construction Licenses. We would like to commence construction of the entire
NPP buildings and structures as soon as possible," Galanchuk added.
The plant is estimated to
meet around 6-7 percent of Turkey's electricity demand.
Turkish Energy Market
Regulatory Authority in mid June granted a electricity generation license to
the Akkuyu Nuclear Company for a period of 49 years for the plant.
(Anadolu Agency
)