Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Cost & Benefit Analysis

Authors : Sezayi TOPRAK, Selman DAL

Pages : 85-91

View : 13 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2017-08-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Turkey is in need of finding a sustainable source for electricity production due to an  increasing demand and consumption for electricity. The country has a huge current  account deficit most of which results from its energy imports. Plans for nuclear power  construction are a key aspect of the country’s aim for sustainable economic growth. In  Turkey, building up a nuclear power plant has always been a hot topic for discussion at  least for 40 years. Turkey has had plans for establishing nuclear power generation since  1970. Today an application has been made for construction and operating licenses for  the first plant at Akkuyu. Turkey’s electricity production was 240 billion kilowatt hours insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(kWh); or 240 Terawatt  hours, gross from 53 gigawatts electrical capacity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GWe); in 2012. Of this, 105 150 Terawatt  hours insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TWh); insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(44%); came from gas insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(two thirds of this from Russia, most of the  rest from Iran);, 68 TWh insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(28%); from coal, and 58 TWh insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(24%); from hydro. In 2015,  the percentage of electricity produced by gas decreased to 40%, which is still high. Net  import was 3 TWh. Demand growth is about 8% pa, and in the first half of 2012 consumption  was 119.3 billion kWh. Per capita consumption has risen from 800 kWh/yr in  1990 to about 2700 kWh/yr in 2011. Demand in 2023 is expected to be about 450 billion  kWh, implying new investments by then of $100 billion. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(World Nuclear Association,  2014); Plans for nuclear power are a key aspect of the country’s aim for economic growth, and  it aims to cut back its vulnerable reliance on Russian and Iranian gas for electricity. The  Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ETKB); projects 2020 electricity production  as possibly 499 TWh in a high scenario of 8% growth, or 406 TWh with a low scenario  of 6.1% growth. Plans are to have 30 gigawatts of coal fired electrical capacity by 2023.  However, much of the country’s coal resources are lignite with low calorific value – less  than 12.5 MJ/kg, and a substantial amount insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Afsin Ebistan); at less than 5 MJ/kg. insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(World  Nuclear Association, 2014); The Akkuyu nuclear project has an estimated investment cost of about US$ 20 Billion.  Akkuyu plant will have four 1200 MWe AES-2006 units. The plant is estimated to be  paid off in 15 years. It is planned to be operational in 2018.
Keywords : Akkuyu Nuclear power plant