Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu NPP, has become a project that opens the doors to Turkish industrial and engineering companies to take part in the global nuclear sector. Domestic companies working at the plant built by the Russian State Nuclear Corporation Rosatom in the Gülnar district of Mersin aim to take a more active role in the international market with the technical knowledge and project management experience they have gained.
Among the companies aiming to transfer the competencies they gained at Akkuyu NPP to global projects are AECONDEMEKS and MOS Forging and Metal. These companies, which produce in accordance with high engineering standards, are accelerating their work to take part in new nuclear power plant projects in Europe, Asia and the Middle East by increasing their competitive power in the nuclear energy sector.
“Experience in nuclear energy makes us different and special”
AECONDEMEKS General Manager Atilla Evrensel, who provides services in the fields of project design, manufacturing and material supply in mechanical and electrical applications in the Akkuyu NPP project, stated that Akkuyu constitutes an important business area for industrial companies.
Emphasizing that the experience gained in the nuclear energy sector provides a great advantage for their company, Evrensel said: “Akkuyu NPP is an important market for suppliers who have been involved in the project since the day it started, in terms of labor and cash flow. Getting to know the nuclear energy sector and gaining experience in this field makes us different and special. We are sure that we will use the advantages of this experience in domestic and international projects in the future. The knowledge and experience we gained at Akkuyu NPP will enable us to take part in global projects.”
Evrensel stated that the technical competencies they gained in the project could also be utilized in the operation process of the power plant, and that their experience in the management of processes in accordance with international standards, testing of systems and acceptance processes would put them in a stronger position in the global market.
Drawing attention to Türkiye's increasing energy needs, Evrensel stated that nuclear energy will play a critical role in ensuring energy supply security by reducing dependency on imports.
“Akkuyu NPP has become a school for us”
One of the biggest gains of Akkuyu NPP for the domestic industry was that it gave Turkish companies the ability to compete in international projects.
Ömer Solmaz, General Manager of MOS Forging and Metal, which was established in Türkiye in 2019, stated that they provided various products within the scope of pipe joints and joining parts to Akkuyu NPP and that this project was a turning point for the Turkish industry.
Solmaz said, “Previously, a Turkish company had no knowledge of what the products required for a nuclear power plant were, how they were produced, and how they were brought into compliance with international norms. Thanks to Akkuyu NPP, we learned all these processes step by step. The knowledge and experience we gained will carry Turkish companies to the global arena.”
Stating that they aim to take part in new projects both domestically and abroad in the future, Solmaz said, “Akkuyu NGS has become a school for us. Here, we will complete our technical equipment, receive our diploma, so to speak, and start following projects abroad.”
It will contribute to Türkiye's energy independence
Ömer Solmaz noted that in addition to Turkish companies opening up to the global market, nuclear energy investments are also of critical importance in terms of Türkiye's energy supply security and economic independence.
Stating that nuclear energy is not only an economic sector but also a strategic one, Solmaz drew attention to the importance of such investments in terms of Türkiye’s long-term energy policies with the following words: “Nuclear power plants are facilities that are under the protection of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and can continue to produce energy continuously. This makes nuclear energy not only an economic but also a strategic necessity.”
