Akkuyu 1 outer containment dome takes shape

The Akkuyu plant, in the southern Mersin province, will eventually comprise four Russian-supplied VVER-1200 reactors, which are equipped with a system of double (inner and outer) containments.

In June 2023, the concreting of the inner containment dome was completed at Akkuyu unit 1. In total, more than 3200 cubic metres was poured, with 422 tonnes of rebars installed and the completed walls are 1.2 metres thick. The inner containment ensures leak-tightness of the reactor building, and acts as a support for pipelines and the polar crane which will be used for nuclear reactor maintenance operations.

Hoisting of the lower part of the outer dome gets under way (Image: Akkuyu NPP)

The steel lower part of the outer containment dome - measuring almost 51 metres in diameter and weighing 340 tonnes - has now been hoisted into position at a height of 63 metres in a process taking 10 hours, Akkuyu NPP announced.

"After the successful installation of the lower dome part of the outer containment, the builders of the Akkuyu NPP will install the outer containment dome in the next stage," said Akkuyu Nuclear JSC CEO Sergei Butckikh. "The assembled large-sized reinforced concrete structure will protect the reactor plant from external effects during the entire service life of the nuclear power plant."

The part is moved towards the reactor building (Image: Akkuyu NPP)

Akkuyu is Turkey's first nuclear power plant. Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is building the four VVER-1200 reactors under a so-called BOO (build-own-operate) model. According to the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey, the commissioning of the first power unit of the nuclear power plant must take place within seven years from receipt of all permits for the construction of the unit.

The licence for the construction of the first unit was issued in 2018, with construction work beginning that year. Nuclear fuel was delivered to the site in April 2023, with the aim to carry out a physical start-up in 2024.

The 4800 MWe plant is expected to meet about 10% of Turkey's electricity needs, with the aim that all four units will be operational by the end of 2028.