Comparative analysis of first nuclear power plant projects in Turkey

In this thesis, the question of "what are the issues to be considered and the problems should be addressed for Turkey's prospective NPP project" has been tried to be answered. Turkey's two intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) regarding to NPP project with Russian Federation and Japan were compared and recommendations were made to show how Turkey will address the issues for prospective NPP projects. The fact that Turkey has been interested in nuclear energy for about 60 years but could not construct any NPP, that some deficiencies emerged regarding some topics in IGAs emerged as the reason for presenting this study. In this framework, strategic planning techniques were applied as a method including comparative and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis to reach the purpose and explore the research question of this thesis. Within the framework of SWOT analyzes; the common strengths of Akkuyu and Sinop NPP projects are seen as high installed capacity, long operating term, low operating and maintaining cost while the high tariffs of both NPPs compared to the market prices, long construction periods, high initial investment cost and inadequate legal and institutional framework emerge as the common weaknesses of both projects. Provisions regarding to the technology transfer, development of human resources and domestic industry are seen opportunities for both projects while the possibility of a nuclear accident, the problem of public acceptance, possible delays in schedule and cost increases in the construction of the NPP were seen as common threats. When we compare the Akkuyu and Sinop NPP projects, it is seen that both projects consist of four units and the construction costs are close to each other, In Akkuyu NPP project; the Turkish party guarantees to purchase approximately half of generated electricity from the all unites for 15 years with 12.35 US cents/kWh (kilowatt-hour) tariff while Turkish party guarantees to purchase from 100 % of generated electricity from four units for 20 years with "10.80 – 10.83 US (United States) cents/kWh + fuel costs" on average tariff in Sinop NPP project. In both projects, the Turkish industry is considered to have production capacity for non-nuclear products but it has been observed that the Turkish industry has a lack of experience in producing nuclear safety related products. While Turkish students get education in Russian Federation in Akkuyu NPP project, it is envisaged to establish vocational schools and universities in Turkey in Sinop NES project. In the light of all these data for the prospective NPP projects; the Turkish side may wish to consider investing in large-scale plants and conducting R&D (research and development) studies for small modular reactors (SMR), owning 51 percent of the shares of the NPP in the long run may for ensuring security of supply. In addition, Turkish side may wish to consider, setting concrete steps regarding technology transfer, establishing technical and vocational high schools and university departments of international quality in the field of nuclear energy in Turkey and applying off-set applications to provide minimum level of equipment from the local industry for developing nuclear energy infrastructure. On the other hand, clear provisions for radioactive waste management can be established to eliminate uncertainties regarding waste process.