Cooperation with russia in Turkey's energy security: Akkuyu nuclear power plant

The study aims to identify the reasons for cooperation between Turkey and Russia to build the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). In light of these reasons the main policy motivation that shaped the cooperation between Turkey and Russia in the case of Akkuyu NPP is examined within the context of Turkey's previous attempts to build a nuclear power plant and the conditions written in the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Agreement between Turkey and Russia. The findings of the study revealed, two main reasons for cooperation. The first reason is that Turkey did not take economic responsibility by applying the "build-own-operate" model and only Russia preferred this model. The second reason is that both countries guaranteed their interests through an intergovernmental agreement. Other advantages of the Akkuyu NPP include diversification of Turkey's energy supplies and lower unit cost of electricity production compared to that of coal and natural gas. On the other hand, the fact that the power plant is completely under Russian control raises concerns about the long term reliability of the alternative energy source. When these results are examined according to the arguments of interdependence in the literature, it is concluded that Akkuyu NPP contributes to Turkey's diversification of energy supplies, but it does not provide energy supply security because it increases Turkey's asymmetric dependence on Russia.