Türkiye Signs the “Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy”
At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, the significance of nuclear energy in achieving the 2050 net zero target was strongly emphasized. Last year, at COP28 in Dubai, the United States launched the “Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy,” with leading nuclear countries such as France, Japan, and South Korea among the signatories. This year, six additional countries signed the declaration, including Türkiye.
Target: Net Zero Emissions
The declaration aims to increase the share of nuclear energy in electricity generation, a focal point on the global agenda. By signing this declaration, Türkiye has committed, along with other participating countries, to work collaboratively to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050, relative to 2020 levels.
Nuclear Energy Plays a Key Role
In his assessment of the initiative, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar highlighted the critical role of nuclear energy in helping the world achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. “Last year, at COP28 in Dubai, the United States led 25 countries in signing the ‘Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy,’” Bayraktar stated. “This year, at COP29 in Baku, Türkiye joined these nations, bringing the total number of signatory countries to 31. The declaration will also support advancements in technology, capacity building, and financing opportunities.”
Target: 20,000 MW Installed Capacity
Minister Bayraktar underscored Türkiye’s ambitious nuclear program, noting: “The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, currently under construction in our country with a total capacity of 4.8 GW, represents a significant milestone in this journey. We plan for all four units to be operational by the end of 2028. Once completed, it will be capable of meeting 10% of our electricity needs alone.”
Bayraktar also announced plans to build two additional nuclear plants in the Sinop and Thrace regions and to incorporate next generation small modular reactors alongside large nuclear plants. “We believe that by deploying 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050, we will contribute to the net zero emissions target,” he added.
Global Target: 1,200 GW
Currently, 415 nuclear power plants operate across 31 countries, with a combined nuclear capacity of approximately 400 GW. The ambitious goal is to raise this to 1,200 GW by 2050. Countries signing the declaration have begun outlining their targets. The United States announced its roadmap during COP29, committing to an additional 200 GW of nuclear capacity, highlighting the significant role of small modular reactors in this endeavor. Many global companies have also shared their nuclear energy plans to decarbonize their electricity needs.