Minister Bayraktar says nuclear energy is essential for Türkiye’s national security

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that nuclear energy is an inseparable part of Türkiye’s national security, adding: “In its nearly 70-year nuclear journey, Türkiye has made significant progress, especially in the past 15 years since 2010.”

The final event of the Nuclear Energy Technologies Design Competition, organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources as part of the TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival, was held in Istanbul.

Speaking at the event hosted at the Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mining Research Institute (TENMAK) campus in Küçükçekmece, Bayraktar outlined Türkiye’s nuclear goals and energy vision in the context of energy independence.

He stressed that Türkiye continues its struggle for energy independence: “Türkiye is a country with a constantly increasing energy demand, and looking at global trends, the world is rapidly electrifying.”

Pointing out that nearly 600 million people worldwide still lack access to electricity, Bayraktar said: “Global electricity demand is rising rapidly. Even the conservative estimates for artificial intelligence suggest that by the 2030s, an additional 945 terawatt-hours of electricity will be needed. That means building the equivalent of another France or Germany just to meet AI-related demand by 2030.”

On decarbonization targets, Bayraktar underlined the importance of cleaner sources in combating global warming and climate change: “We no longer have the budget to release more emissions into the atmosphere. There is a major trend toward renewables, energy efficiency, and low-carbon energy production.”

He noted that supply security is the most crucial factor encompassing all these processes, emphasizing the need to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality, and affordable energy in line with growing demand and decarbonization goals.

Highlighting Türkiye’s similar trajectory, Bayraktar said: “In the past 20 years, electricity demand in Türkiye has tripled. Population growth is not at the level we would like, but the population is still increasing. Industry and the economy are growing, urbanization continues. In such an environment, electricity demand is rising and will continue to rise.”

“THIS IS AN INSEPERABLE PART OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY”

Bayraktar stated that electricity demand in Türkiye is expected to increase by an annual average of 3.5 percent until 2035.

“Between 2035 and 2055, we foresee annual growth above 5 percent, reaching an increase of about 1,050 terawatt-hours,” he said, adding: “We will see growth beyond our projections because everything is changing with the impact of climate. This summer, there has been extraordinary demand in Türkiye, mainly due to air conditioners. We must also be able to meet abnormal and sudden demand spikes caused by extreme heat.”

Bayraktar emphasized Türkiye’s energy dilemma: “Unfortunately, we import two-thirds of the primary energy we consume. This has become one of the biggest challenges for our economy because Türkiye spends $70–90 billion annually on energy imports.”

He underlined that the main challenge is meeting this rising demand while reducing external dependence: “We are seeking solutions to reduce dependence while meeting demand. I believe that once we achieve energy independence, we will also secure our economic independence. This is an inseparable part of our national security.”

Bayraktar highlighted the importance of the TEKNOFEST event in this context.

Addressing Türkiye’s efforts to use energy efficiently, integrate renewables into the system, and reduce dependence on oil and natural gas, Bayraktar stressed that nuclear energy is indispensable not only for Türkiye but also for the world.

He pointed out the role of nuclear in reducing dependency and cutting carbon emissions, recalling the declaration made at the 2023 Dubai summit, where developed and developing countries set the goal of nearly tripling nuclear power by 2050.

Emphasizing that the nuclear journey, which began after World War II, is heading toward a golden age, Bayraktar said: “In its nearly 70-year nuclear energy journey, Türkiye has made significant progress, especially in the past 15 years since 2010. With the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), student training programs in Russia and other countries, and ongoing construction, Türkiye has opened a new chapter in nuclear energy.”

Bayraktar stated that Türkiye needs at least 15,000 megawatts of conventional nuclear power: “We need at least 12 large and small nuclear reactors in Akkuyu, Sinop, and Thrace.”

He added that in addition to this capacity, Türkiye requires at least 5,000 megawatts from small modular reactors (SMRs), in line with its energy vision. He stressed the importance of localizing SMR technology and producing it domestically, noting that TEKNOFEST competitions would play a key role in this effort.

Bayraktar also highlighted the significance of holding this year’s competition at the Küçükçekmece campus, after starting in Adana last year: “Çekmece is the birthplace of nuclear in Türkiye. Returning here marks the beginning of a new era. With 5,000 megawatts of SMR—hopefully even more—together with powerships and uninterrupted supply for industry and data centers, we are working to move our country to a very different level in its nuclear journey.”

Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır, TEKNOFEST Chairman of the Board and T3 Foundation Chairman of the Board of Trustees Selçuk Bayraktar, as well as students, also attended the event.