The importance of nuclear energy in energy supply security: The case of Turkiye

The energy paradigm of the 21st century is undergoing a major transformation due to the need to simultaneously protect environmental sustainability and national security in the face of high energy demand caused by population growth and industrialization. In this context, the limited nature of fossil fuel reserves and supply security issues arising from external dependencies are forcing nations to explore alternative energy sources. Nuclear energy stands out among these alternatives due to its high energy density and minimal carbon emissions, while thorium emerges as a viable alternative to traditional uranium-based reactor technology. Turkiye has made energy security a strategic priority due to its geopolitical location and increasing energy consumption trends. In this context, the country's significant thorium reserves present a crucial opportunity to establish a nuclear energy infrastructure dependent on domestic resources, thereby reducing external dependencies and promoting a more secure energy future. In this study, the evaluation of nuclear energy technologies within the context of Turkiye's energy supply security objectives is addressed using literature and document analysis methods from both scientific and strategic perspectives.