What happened
International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said Türkiye is nearing a milestone in its nuclear programme, pointing to progress at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.
His remarks came during the IAEA’s 70th General Conference in Vienna, where Türkiye set up an exhibition stand on its nuclear-energy activities and wider plans. Grossi attended its opening with Mustafa Kibaroğlu, Türkiye’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Vienna, and was briefed on the programme.
Grossi said he had previously visited the plant and its reactors and had been impressed by developments there. He described the prospect of Türkiye becoming a nuclear electricity-producing country as a significant moment in the republic’s history.
He said he hoped the first Akkuyu unit could enter operation in a few months, provided that this is feasible, and that he would be able to be in Türkiye for the occasion. The comments did not set a confirmed commissioning date.
Why it matters
If the first unit starts operation, it would mark Türkiye’s entry into nuclear power generation. Grossi’s intervention also placed the project before delegates at the agency’s principal annual conference.
The IAEA chief said Türkiye’s ambitions were not confined to Akkuyu. He added that the agency would be ready to offer cooperation should Türkiye require it as those plans develop.
For energy and sustainability professionals, the key point is that Grossi’s timeline was an expectation rather than an operational commitment. Project progress and any formal announcement on the first unit’s start-up will therefore be the more reliable indicators of delivery.
What to watch next
Watch for confirmation that Akkuyu’s first unit has entered service, rather than relying on the indicative months-long timeframe. Further detail on Türkiye’s nuclear plans beyond Akkuyu, and on any IAEA support arrangements, would also clarify the programme’s next phase.
