We Need to Have at Least 12 Large and Small Nuclear Reactors

Category: ENERGY AGENDA , NUCLEAR ENERGY - Date: September 8, 2025

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar gave important messages to young people at the Nuclear Energy Technologies Design Competition Final organized by the ministry within the scope of TEKNOFEST 2025.

Emphasizing the importance of nuclear energy for Turkey and the world, Bayraktar said, "We need to have at least 12 large and small nuclear reactors in Akkuyu, Sinop, and Thrace." Addressing young people, Bayraktar said, " As the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, we will continue to support you in Turkey, especially regarding nuclear energy and the peaceful use of nuclear energy."

Bayraktar stated that by making Türkiye energy independent, they will also ensure economic independence, saying, "This work is an integral part of national security for us."

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar attended the Nuclear Energy Technologies Design Competition Final, organized by the ministry as part of TEKNOFEST 2025. The program, held at the Nuclear Energy Research Institute of the Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Council of Turkey (TENMAK) in Istanbul, was attended by Minister Bayraktar, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, and Selçuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the TEKNOFEST Board of Directors and Chairman of the T3 Foundation Board of Trustees.

Electricity Demand Is Increasing

Minister Bayraktar, who met with young people and TENMAK researchers at a talk organized as part of the event, emphasized that electricity demand has increased significantly globally and will continue to do so, emphasizing the global goal of decarbonization. Bayraktar noted that Türkiye's industry and economy are growing and predicted annual growth in electricity demand.

An Integral Part of National Security

Bayraktar, explaining that Turkey spends between $70 billion and $90 billion on energy imports each year , said, "We are trying to find a solution to the question of how we can reduce our dependence on foreign sources while meeting increasing demand. By making Turkey energy independent in this sense, we will have achieved economic independence. This is an integral part of our national security."

Domestic Oil and Gas

He stated that Türkiye is exploring and producing its own oil in the Gabar region to reduce its dependence on oil and natural gas, and is finding natural gas deep in the Black Sea and adding it to its economy.

Nuclear energy

Bayraktar emphasized the importance of nuclear energy for Turkey and the world, stating that students traveling to Russia or other countries for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies, and the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, represent a significant breakthrough in Turkey's nuclear field. Bayraktar stated, " Turkey needs at least 15,000 megawatts of conventional nuclear power. We need at least 12 large and small nuclear reactors in Akkuyu, Sinop, and Thrace. In addition to this 14,000-15,000 megawatts of power, we need at least 5,000 megawatts of SMR." Bayraktar added that they are working diligently to take Turkey to a new level in the nuclear journey.

TEKNOFEST Inspiration

Bayraktar said, "TEKNOFEST has been a tremendous source of inspiration for many of our young people in Türkiye, and for the 86 million people in our country." Bayraktar emphasized that TEKNOFEST demonstrates the value of innovation, production, science, and innovation, and that it instills self-confidence in young people.

Full Support for Young People

Addressing the youth, Bayraktar said, “Let me tell our young people here this: As the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, we will continue to support you to the fullest, especially regarding nuclear energy and the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Turkey.”

Source: ETKB

Published by: Alperen ERTAŞ- [email protected]