The government of Turkey has reached agreement with an international consortium that is proposing to build the Sinop nuclear power plant on Turkey’s Black Sea coast.

The Sinop project envisages construction of four-unit nuclear plant based on AREVA/MHI ATMEA1 pressurized water reactor technology. Commercial operation of the first nuclear unit is targeted for 2023.

The consortium comprising Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), AREVA, Itochu and GDF Suez, said 29 October that it has agreed a "broad framework" for a commercial agreement with the Government of the Republic of Turkey.

The agreement defines the scope of cooperation for project implementation and the outlines the framework for a feasibility study.

Once the feasibility study has been completed, MHI and the other members of the international consortium will draw up specific project terms. Negotiations will also proceed towards agreements for project financing aspects.

A formal agreement between the consortium and the Government of Turkey is expected after authorization from the Turkish parliament, MHI said.

Also, to mark the occasion, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a joint declaration on cooperation between Japan and Turkey in the fields of nuclear energy and technology.


Photo: ATMEA1 (Source: AREVA)