Türkiye’s nuclear energy aspirations: policy challenges and legal trajectory

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Türkiye’s nuclear energy aspirations, focusing on the historical evolution, international cooperation, organizational structure, legal framework, and policy dimensions. It elaborates on Türkiye’s endeavours to integrate nuclear energy into its national power infrastructure, particularly highlighting the progress made in the development of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Initiated in 1968, the Akkuyu NPP project remained stagnant for decades. It gained momentum in the late 2010s when Rosatom, under an agreement between the Turkish and Russian states, began construction as part of its nuclear export strategy. The article mainly discusses the significant legislative and regulatory advancements made post-2021, propelled by the near completion of the Akkuyu NPP. These actions signify a crucial phase in creating a robust legal framework for nuclear energy in Türkiye. Moreover, the article presents proposals for law and policy, considering geopolitical, economic, and technical constraints, to guide the future direction of Türkiye’s domestic nuclear energy programme. In conclusion, the evolution of nuclear energy law in Türkiye, highlighted by the development of the Akkuyu NPP and subsequent legal and regulatory measures, presents an essential case study.