The circular overhead crane of the first unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Turkey has started operating. The first components of the fuel refill system were also delivered. The crane is a complex technological engineering structure consisting of several components and it will play a key role throughout the lifecycle of unit 1 at the new NPP. The crane will be used first to lift and assemble the nuclear reactor, and later to inspect the reactor and deliver the necessary fuel.
Akkuyu is Turkey’s first NPP. Rosatom is building four VVER-1200 reactors, according to the so-called BOO model (build-own-operate). The construction of the first unit began in 2018 and the physical start is planned for next year. It is expected that the 4,800 mwe plant will meet about 10% of Turkey’s electricity needs, with the goal that all four units will be operational by the end of 2028.
