In recent years, the global demand for energy has surged due to technological advancements, population growth, and the increasing impact of humanity on the environment. To address these growing needs, industrialized nations have turned not only to fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas but also to nuclear energy. While renewable energy sources have gained traction, their limited output may not suffice to meet rising energy demands on their own. Over the past five decades, countries with restricted fossil fuel supplies, both developed and developing, have increasingly relied on nuclear energy to ensure a secure energy supply.
The driving forces behind the interest in nuclear energy among emerging nations include fulfilling future electricity needs, enhancing energy security, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, 31 nations operate commercial nuclear power plants, and by 2025, there will be a total of 411 reactors in operation, yielding an installed capacity of around 371 gigawatts. Nuclear energy contributes approximately 9% to the global electricity generation mix and plays a crucial role in fostering energy supply security. The ongoing construction of nearly 70 reactors signifies the commitment of many countries to expand their nuclear capabilities in alignment with carbon neutrality goals.
The launch of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Türkiye represents a significant achievement in the country”s energy strategy. Despite facing delays, Türkiye has worked diligently to incorporate nuclear energy into its energy framework. The main goals of Türkiye”s nuclear initiatives include reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, boosting energy security, and improving the trade balance. Although nuclear energy requires a substantial initial investment, it is viewed as a dependable source of baseload power, with costs expected to decrease over time.
Involvement from foreign entities in nuclear projects is anticipated to bolster Türkiye”s regulatory and technical expertise in nuclear technology, although the expected transfer of technology has yet to be fully realized. The environmentally friendly aspects of nuclear energy have gained importance, particularly under the European Union”s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), as it offers a pathway to lower greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen Türkiye”s role in climate diplomacy and green finance.
Türkiye”s integration of nuclear energy into its national strategy is advancing rapidly, with the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Council (TENMAK) taking over several responsibilities from the Turkish Atomic Energy Administration (TAEK). Training agreements with Russia aim to prepare Turkish personnel for nuclear plant operations. Türkiye has outlined intentions for significant technology transfer and domestic reactor development, aiming to encourage private sector participation in these efforts.
In an age where access to reliable and affordable energy is vital, Türkiye is pursuing an innovative approach referred to as the “Turkish Path.” This strategy involves establishing a clear national nuclear program focused on developing indigenous reactors for peaceful purposes. Coordination with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Euratom is crucial for Türkiye”s research and development efforts in nuclear capacity. Such collaboration is essential to align with international standards and European designs.
In addition to leveraging Russian expertise, Türkiye emphasizes the need to diversify its partnerships by enhancing collaboration with European and American counterparts. Adherence to IAEA standards is critical for ensuring safety, security, and regulatory compliance. Türkiye”s nuclear energy policy, particularly regarding project development and management, requires updates to effectively address legal and policy challenges.
Since the Russian state company Rosatom was the sole bidder in a previous tender, there is a need to transition to more competitive bidding processes and international agreements. Revising Türkiye”s legal framework for nuclear project tenders is vital to promote transparent and fair competition between domestic and international firms, focusing on safety, economic feasibility, and technology transfer.
Establishing a nuclear energy sector demands a high level of technological expertise, compelling first-time nuclear nations to collaborate with countries possessing advanced nuclear programs. These partnerships facilitate the transfer of sophisticated technical knowledge, specialized equipment, and adherence to international safety norms, all essential for the secure and effective operation of nuclear facilities.
Several nations have developed nuclear plants under turnkey or build-operate-transfer models, but Russia has introduced a new collaboration model known as Build-Own-Operate (BOO) in the past 15 years and has played a significant role in this sector. The Akkuyu NPP, being constructed by Rosatom since 2018, is the world”s first nuclear power plant built under the BOO model. This project marks Türkiye”s most concrete advancement in nuclear energy and serves as a significant initiative on a regional level.
As Türkiye continues to develop its nuclear cooperation strategy, the question arises: how can it establish multifaceted collaborations to enhance its nuclear policy? Joint projects with the United States present a strategic alternative. The signing of the “Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)” between Türkiye and the U.S. in 2025 exemplifies this shift, aiming to expand cooperation in areas such as technology transfer, joint investments, capacity building, reactor construction, and fuel management.
Collaboration with the U.S. offers distinct advantages, as the American Atomic Energy Act provides a framework for “Section 123 Agreements,” governing nuclear cooperation under legally binding terms concerning technology transfer, reactor supply, and fuel provision. Such agreements could enable Türkiye to acquire advanced reactor technologies from U.S. firms and participate in their maintenance and operational processes.
While a previous “peaceful cooperation agreement” similar to a Section 123 Agreement between Türkiye and the U.S. from 2008 remains active, practical cooperation has been limited. Strengthening ties with the U.S. could also pave the way for private sector involvement in Türkiye”s nuclear market, fostering a more competitive environment. Traditionally, nuclear projects have been viewed as large state-supported ventures, but the increasing technological maturity of the sector allows for greater participation from private companies in areas such as modular reactor manufacturing, maintenance, and software development.
In the U.S., the private sector plays a crucial role throughout the nuclear energy landscape, from licensing to innovation. Adapting this model to Türkiye”s policy framework could be achieved through enhanced transparency, institutional capacity building, and regulatory reforms. The U.S. nuclear energy system, characterized by active private sector engagement, offers innovative avenues for technology development and reactor design.
For Türkiye, establishing diverse international partnerships is strategically important for enhancing technical capacity and ensuring long-term energy security. The Akkuyu project has provided valuable experience in construction and safety management, while the civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S. will enable this experience to evolve into a comprehensive model centered on technology transfer and research development.
Türkiye”s nuclear energy strategy is not limited to diversifying energy production but also envisions technology acquisition, domestic industrial participation, a strong nuclear safety culture, and deepened international collaboration. The partnership with Russia and the developing strategic memorandum with the U.S. represent two complementary components of this vision. Through a multidimensional approach, Türkiye is progressing towards becoming a stronger, more sustainable, and technologically adept player in the regional energy sector.
