The Russian state-owned company Rosatom led the race to build the second nuclear power plant in Turkey, strengthening the growing relations between the two countries in the field of energy.

Rosatom has strong experience in the nuclear energy sector in Turkey, as it supervises the construction of the country’s first nuclear plant in Akkuyu.

This pioneering site enhances Rosatom’s opportunities to build the second Sinop station, according to Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

Rosatom is the ideal choice “due to its natural interest” and “experience” in working within Turkey, Bayraktar stated.

The Sinop plant could be a joint public-private project, with the licensing process expected to begin within two to three years, Bayraktar explained.

The Turkish minister’s statements come at a time when relations between Turkey and Russia are witnessing a strong boost, while Turkey’s NATO allies are reducing their dependence on Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia is a major supplier of crude oil and natural gas to Turkey, and its involvement in nuclear energy projects is likely to give it a strong foothold in the Turkish electricity market, which serves about 85 million people.

Turkey aims to add more than 20 gigawatts of nuclear energy to its electrical grid by 2050.

This goal can be achieved by 2040 if the planned Sinop and Thrace plants, each containing eight reactors, are fully operational.

South Korea is another potential contender to build the Sinop plant, which includes four reactors on the Black Sea coast.

Negotiations are currently underway with China to build the Thrace plant, while other talks are underway with the United States regarding small nuclear reactors.