Turkey Plans New Nuclear Power Plants with Russia

On September 1, 2026, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey will expand its nuclear cooperation with Russia, adding new power-plant projects to the already-under-construction Akkuyu nuclear power plant on the Mediterranean coast. The statement was made during a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)) summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Erdogan says Türkiye-Russia ties at most advanced level during Putin meeting Erdogan announced further nuclear projects with Russia Associated Press

Turkey relies on foreign energy for roughly 70 % of its consumption, making diversification a strategic priority. The existing Akkuyu project, built by the Russian state corporation Rosatom, is nearing completion and is expected to supply about 10 % of Turkey’s electricity once its four reactors become operational. Strengthening ties with Russia on nuclear energy occurs amid heightened Western scrutiny of Ankara’s relationship with Moscow during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Erdogan announced further nuclear projects with Russia Associated PressErdogan says Türkiye-Russia ties at most advanced level during Putin meeting

• Akkuyu’s four reactors: projected to generate ~10 % of Turkey’s electricity.

Associated Press

• Turkish energy imports: 70 % of total energy needs.

Erdogan announced further nuclear projects with Russia

• Russian imports valued at $42.37 billion last year (United Nations international trade figures).

Erdogan announced further nuclear projects with Russia

• Energy-related Russian imports accounted for $29.8 billion of that total.

Erdogan announced further nuclear projects with Russia

Putin responded by calling Turkey “one of our privileged partners,” underscoring the elevated diplomatic level cited by both leaders.

Erdogan announced further nuclear projects with Russia

• “The Akkuyu nuclear power plant is of great importance in Russia-Turkey relations. We are now in the final stages,” — Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president

Associated Press

• “Today, I find it important to take advantage of such an opportunity. Türkiye-Russia relations are truly at a much more advanced level today than in any previous period,” — Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president

Erdogan says Türkiye-Russia ties at most advanced level during Putin meeting

• “With the opening of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, we will once again take steps together toward the opening of some new power plants,” — Recep Tayyip Erdogan, president

Erdogan says Türkiye-Russia ties at most advanced level during Putin meeting