Turkey's first nuclear power plant in the southern Turkish province of Mersin is making headway with the issuance of a Limited Construction Permit (LCP) to build non-nuclear structures, according to a statement on Friday.
Turkish Atomic Energy Agency, Turkey's regulatory body, issued the LCP for the plant that will have 4,800 megawatts capacity in four units and a working lifespan of 8,000 hours per year.
"The LCP allows the beginning of construction and installation works at all facilities of the nuclear power plant, except for buildings and structures important for nuclear safety," the statement read.
"Obtaining the LCP is a significant step forward for the Akkuyu project implementation. We are actually moving from the preparatory stage to the construction phase at the site. A major part of these construction works will be done by local subcontractors," Yuriy Galanchuk, CEO of the Akkuyu Nuclear Co. was quoted as saying.
"Our next task is to get Construction Licenses. We would like to commence construction of the entire NPP buildings and structures as soon as possible," Galanchuk added.
The plant is estimated to meet around 6-7 percent of Turkey's electricity demand.
Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority in mid June granted a electricity generation license to the Akkuyu Nuclear Company for a period of 49 years for the plant.
(Anadolu Agency)
