Akkuyu Nuclear, owner/operator of the Akkuyu NPP under construction in Turkey by Russian nuclear state corporation Rosatom, on 9 December signed a connection agreement with Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEIAS) TEIAS. This will enable work to begin on a power distribution system for Akkuyu NPP, which will include six high-voltage transmission lines. Under the agreement, the power generated by Akkuyu NPP will be transmitted from the Akkuyu NPP switchgear via 400 kV power lines to six transformer substations that are part of Turkey's unified energy system. The total length of the high-voltage lines that will be built as part of the Akkuyu NPP power distribution scheme will exceed 1000 km.
“The agreement is a guarantee that the infrastructure of the Turkish transmission system will be ready for NPP connection and reliable transmission of generated electricity to consumers. Observance of the parameters of compatibility with the external electrical system is inextricably linked to ensuring a reliable and safe NPP operation, so the conclusion of the connection agreement can undoubtedly be attributed to the key stages in implementing the Akkuyu NPP Project”, said Akkuyu Nuclear Anastasia Zoteeva.
All the power lines to be connected to Akkuyu NPP will be built and maintained by the TEIAS, which reports to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. TEIAS is maintaining a network of 68,204-km-long transmission lines, 736 transformer substations and 12 high-voltage transmission lines that connect Turkey with the neighbouring countries. The Akkuyu NPP will comprise four units equipped with Russian-designed generation 3+ VVER-1200 reactors and is the world’s first nuclear project being implemented based on a Build-Own-Operate model. Currently the project is entirely financed by Russia. Rosatom is the majority shareholder of Akkuyu Nuclear.