Erdoğan says Putin may visit Turkey for nuclear plant 'opening'

Photo: AA

Russia's President Vladimir Putin may visit Turkey on April 27 for the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant opening, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday (March 29).

While Erdoğan used the term "opening," the state-run Anadolu Agency used the term "to officially grant a nuclear facility status."

"Putin may be present on April 27, or we will connect online together, and hopefully, we will take the first step," Erdogan said in the interview broadcast live on TV channels A Haber and ATV.

Erdogan said the Akkuyu plant was one of Türkiye's "indispensable investments," adding the facility would help the country "seriously store energy."

Anadolu Agency also reported that the first reactor of the Akkuyu plant is set to be operational in 2023. Accordingly, the plant, expected to have an installed capacity of 4,800 megawatts and four reactors, is set to begin producing power later this year.

The project began with an agreement between Turkey and Russia in 2010. (PE)