The Case of Nuclear Energy in Turkey: From Chernobyl to Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

There is no question that Turkey has an urgent need for additional sources of electricity. It is presently obliged to import electric power from neighboring Georgia, Bulgaria, and Iran to make up for the electricity shortage. Natural gas, hydro, and coal-powered generators play an important role in achieving this goal. In addition, the Turkish government has planned a provision for nuclear power plants. The goal of this article is to enter into a debate over nuclear energy in Turkey concerning economics, safety, and the environment from two opposite points of view, which are the Turkish government and the environmental organizations.