Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Wednesday that his government will announce in November or December its decision on whether to approve or cancel a tender to build the country's first nuclear power plant, the Ihlas News Agency, or IHA, reports.
A consortium comprising Russian companies Atomstroyexport and Inter Rao UES (IRAO.RS) and Turkish company Park Teknik was the sole bidder in a tender held Sept. 24, 2008 to build and operate a 4,000-megawatt nuclear power station in Akkuyu, near the Turkish Mediterranean port of Mersin.
On Jan. 19, the consortium initially offered to sell electricity produced at the plant at an average price of $0.2116 a kilowatt-hour, but then reduced this to $0.134-$0.154/kWh.
Energy experts have criticized the initial price as being too high and said they don't expect the tender ro be approved.
"Talks on the nuclear power station are continuing, but the details are not at the point that can be shared with the puclic," Yildiz told reporters at an energy conference. "The final decision on the tender will be announced November or December."