Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change and Security in Turkey

Turkey is pursuing a civilian nuclear energy program to diversify its energy sources and meet rapidly growing electricity demand, primarily through the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant developed with Russia under a 'build-own-operate' (BOO) model. While Turkey adheres to international nonproliferation regimes and collaborates with the IAEA, the BOO model creates risks regarding regulatory oversight, information asymmetry, and potential safety compromises to reduce costs. Additionally, Turkey faces significant climate security threats, including drought and sea-level rise, which may impact the operation of its coastal nuclear sites. The program also reflects Turkey's complex strategic balancing between Russia and NATO allies.

• Turkey's electricity consumption grew by 436.72% between 1990 and 2018, with the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources estimating that Turkey has the fastest growing electricity demand among OECD members, averaging 7% per year and projected to reach 500 TWh/yr in 2023.
• The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is being developed via a 'build-own-operate' (BOO) model with Russia, which the author argues may reduce the operator's incentive to maximize safety and security due to cost concerns and creates a dependency on Russian technology and fuel.
• Turkey is highly vulnerable to climate-driven risks, with the IPCC stating that approximately 60% of its land area is prone to desertification. Specific threats to coastal nuclear plants include sea level rise in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, coastal erosion, and the need for cooling water during droughts.
• Turkey has established a regulatory framework and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK) to meet IAEA milestones, yet concerns remain regarding the independence of these bodies as the chairman of the NDK and the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) are appointed by the President.
• The Akkuyu project has faced multiple delays, including a 2013 environmental impact assessment that failed to meet safety criteria and a 2015 halt in construction following the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by Turkish forces.
• Turkey's nuclear program is designed to be peaceful and does not currently provide the capabilities or materials for nuclear weapons, as it is entirely designed and operated by Russia and Turkey remains a NATO member benefiting from extended deterrence.

APA

Goren, N. (2020). Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change and Security in Turkey. The Council on Strategic Risks. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nuclear-Energy-Climate-Change-and-Security-in-Turkey_BRIEFER-7_2020_4_27-1.pdf

Chicago

Goren, Nilsu. Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change and Security in Turkey. The Council on Strategic Risks, 2020. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nuclear-Energy-Climate-Change-and-Security-in-Turkey_BRIEFER-7_2020_4_27-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Goren |first1=Nilsu |title=Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change and Security in Turkey |publisher=The Council on Strategic Risks |date=27 April 2020 |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nuclear-Energy-Climate-Change-and-Security-in-Turkey_BRIEFER-7_2020_4_27-1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{goren2020nuclear, author = {Goren, Nilsu}, title = {{Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change and Security in Turkey}}, institution = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, year = {2020}, month = apr, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Nuclear-Energy-Climate-Change-and-Security-in-Turkey_BRIEFER-7_2020_4_27-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }