Turkish energy policy focuses on assuring the supply of energy in a reliable, sufficient, timely manner. Energy is to be obtained in economic and clean terms, and in such a way as to support and orient targeted growth and social developments. Prepared by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the National Energy and Mining Policy of Turkey has been developed in line with three considerations: security of supply, indigenous production and the foreseeable market.

1. The main aims of security of supply are to achieve diversification of energy resources and markets; sustainability and reliability of resource transfer; and a reduction in the cost of imported energy products. Security of supply is also closely related to a strong economy and national security. The issue of security of supply is discussed under five headings: diversification of energy resources and supplier countries; natural gas and oil storage facilities; capacity to provide natural gas to the system; energy delivery infrastructure; and energy efficiency.

2. Indigenous energy production using national resources is important in achieving energy independence. In this regard, indigenization is critically important for Turkey to add a new dimension to its policies and strategies to reduce the country’s years long dependence on imports. Many public and private sector institutions and organizations, in particular the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR), are expending tremendous effort to increase the use of national energy resources. In order to decrease Turkey’s dependence on imported energy, there are plans to increase the use of renewable energy resources, domestic coal and nuclear energy, and to tap into domestic oil and natural gas reserves.

3. Turkey intends to improve its electricity market and build up a proper natural gas market, restructure institutions in the energy sector and rehabilitate the infrastructure of the energy supply. The National Energy and Mining Policy reveals several strategies and objectives in order to create a more foreseeable, transparent and investor friendly energy market. In recent years, a series of major energy projects have been signed and these projects will undoubtedly contribute to Turkey’s goal of having a greater role as an energy trading hub. With the National Energy and Mining Policy, Turkey takes a firm stand on the subject and keeps working to repeat the achievements of recent years.

Policy issues related to energy are within the responsibility of the MENR. Energy planning studies, taking into account short, medium and long term policies and measures, are carried out by the MENR within the framework of the above listed objectives.

Although almost all conventional resources exist in Turkey, these resources are not sufficient to meet the substantial growth in energy demand, except for lignite and hydro. Around 74% of energy demand is met through imports. Energy planning studies indicate that Turkey’s energy demand will continue to increase in parallel with economic development, industrialization and urbanization. In this context, Turkey has intensified efforts at further diversification in primary energy sources, imports (diversifying in both type and origin), technologies and infrastructures, while accelerating the production and utilization of remaining domestic resources potential and efficiency gains along the energy supply–demand chain.

Turkey became a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2004, based on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities”. The law regarding the accession of Turkey to the UNFCCC was adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly in October 2003, and entered into force on 24 May 2004. Studies are underway for the first National Communication to be submitted to the UNFCCC Secretariat. The Kyoto Protocol was ratified by the Turkish Parliament on 5 February 2009. Improvement of energy efficiency, greater utilization of renewable sources, deployment of clean coal technologies and the introduction of nuclear power are among the main strategies involved in addressing the challenges within the energy–environment linkage.

In order to meet the increasing energy demand without disruption, Turkey continues to develop policies to meet a considerable part of its energy demand by increasing power generation from domestic resources, and enabling energy markets to gain depth. By virtue of its geographical location, Turkey connects energy supplying and energy demanding countries. As a consequence, the policy developed by Turkey becomes extremely important on both the national and international level. Owing to these policies, Turkey aims to play a key role in the global energy in the coming years.

TABLE 1. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

Hydro and other renewable (geothermal, solar and wind) values given as their maximum available potentials.

^* Geothermal potential is equal to 0.0072 TWe.

Source: Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

TABLE 2. ENERGY STATISTICS

^* Lastest available data

^** Energy consumption = Primary energy consumption + Net import (Import–Export) of secondary energy.

^*** Solid fuels includes coal, lignite.

Source: Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

In parallel with economic growth and social development, electricity demand has shown a significant increase over the past decades, reaching 279 TWh by the end of 2017.

Turkey has coal (mostly lignite) and hydro resources for electricity generation. The share of domestic resources in electricity generation was 49.65% in 2017. Turkey attaches utmost importance to the utilization of the remaining potential, with due regard, to cope with the risks stemming from import dependency. Integration of nuclear power plants into the Turkish electricity grid is also being considered as an essential tool to enhance supply security, while strengthening the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation efforts.

The Electricity Market Law (Law No. 6446) was enacted in 2013 in order to conduct market operating activities in a more effective way. In addition, a new corporation, the Energy Markets Operating Corporation (EPIAS), was introduced under the new law. A formal electricity wholesale market was created in 2015. Since April 2015, EPIAS is the new operator of the wholesale market for electricity which includes the day-ahead market (DAM) and a continuous intraday market since July 2015.

The Turkish transmission network has cross-border lines to the electricity grids of all its neighbouring countries. However, Turkey is synchronously connected only to Greece and Bulgaria.

The goals of the National Energy and Mining Policy regarding electricity generation can be summarized as follows:

• To increase domestic energy production;

• To increase the share of renewable energy in total energy production by at least 30%;

• To increase the share of nuclear power plants in electricity generation by at least 10%.

FIG. 1. Electricity generation distribution, depending on energy sources (Turkish Electricity Transmission Company, 2016).

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources is the main body of the Turkish energy sector and is responsible for the preparation and implementation of energy policies, plans and programmes, in coordination with its dependent and related institutions and other public and private entities. The Ministry is responsible for monitoring and taking measures regarding the security of the electricity supply.

The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) is the regulator of the electricity, natural gas, downstream petroleum and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products markets. EMRA is responsible for granting licences for activities in the gas and electricity markets for generation (including electricity generated from renewable sources), transmission, distribution, wholesale, retail, import and export.

The Electricity Generation Company (EÜAS) is the state owned generation company responsible for the operation of existing power plants owned by the public and for new capacity additions, as well as acting as the last resort, should the market fail to provide sufficient capacity to cover demand.

The Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEIAS) is the transmission system operator and is responsible for planning, installing and operating the transmission grid, for providing system security such that transmission constraints will be minimized, and for preparing generation capacity projection and the 20 Year Long Term Electricity Generation Development Plan.

The Turkish Electricity Trading and Contracting Company (TETAS) is the wholesale company established to offset the stranded cost element of the electricity market reform, and is responsible for electricity wholesales and purchases.

Distribution Companies: Twenty-one distribution companies with their own geographical region are all legally unbundled and privatized through transfer of operating rights (TOOR) contracts. The ownership of the distribution network asset remains with the state (with TEDAS as holding company)

FIG. 2. The general structure of the existing electricity sector in Turkey.

TABLE 3. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION AND CAPACITY

^* Lastest available data.

^** Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

Source: TEIAS (Turkish Electricity Transmission Company).

TABLE 4. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

(^*) Lastest available data

(^**) Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

—: data not available.

Source: Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

Turkey has had plans to establish nuclear power generation capabilities since 1970. In order to meet the increasing domestic demand for energy and reduce its dependence on energy imports, various initiatives were undertaken in the past to build Turkey’s first nuclear power plant (NPP).

Regarding the nuclear history of Turkey, studies to build an NPP in Turkey started in 1965. Later, between 1967 and 1970, a feasibility study was undertaken by a foreign consulting company to build a 300–400 MW NPP. This plant would have been in operation in 1977. However, the project did not come to fruition because of problems related to site selection and other issues.

In 1973, the Turkish Electricity Authority (TEK) decided to build an 80 MW(e) prototype plant. However, in 1974, the project was cancelled because it could delay the construction of a greater capacity NPP. Instead of this prototype plant, TEK decided to build a 600 MW(e) NPP in southern Turkey.

Site selection studies were made in 1974 and 1975, and the Gulnar–Akkuyu location was found suitable for the construction of the first NPP. In 1976, the Atomic Energy Commission granted a site licence for Akkuyu. In 1977, a bid was prepared, and the ASEA-ATOM and STAL-LAVAL companies were awarded the contract. Contract negotiations continued until 1980. However, in September 1980, due to the Swedish government’s decision to withdraw a loan guarantee, the project was cancelled.

A third attempt was made in 1980. Three companies were awarded the contract to build four nuclear power plants: 1 CANDU unit by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), 1 pressurized water reactor (PWR) unit by KWU in Akkuyu, and 2 boiling water reactor (BWR) units by General Electric (GE) in Sinop). Due to Turkey’s request to apply the build–operate–transfer (BOT) model, KWU resigned from the bid. Although AECL accepted the BOT model, it insisted upon a governmental guarantee of the BOT credit. The Turkish government refused to give such a guarantee, and consequently the project was cancelled.

In 1993, the Supreme Council for Science and Technology identified nuclear electricity generation as the project of third highest priority for the country. In view of this decision, the Turkish Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (TEAS) included a nuclear power plant project in its 1993 investment programme. In 1995, TEAS selected the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) as the consultant for the preparation of the bid specifications. The bid process started in 1996. Three consortiums (AECL, NPI and Westinghouse) offered proposals in 1997.

In July 2000, after a series of delays, the government decided to postpone the project.

Following this delay, the Law on Construction and Operation of Nuclear Power Plants and Energy Sale (Law No. 5710) was ratified; it entered into force on 21 November 2007.

The Regulation Regarding the Principles, Procedures, and Incentives for the Contracts and the Contest that will be made within the context of Law on the Construction and Operation of Nuclear Power Plants and the Sale of the Energy Generated was published in the Official Gazette on 19 March 2008. The purpose of the regulation is to regulate the procedures and principles regarding the construction and operation of NPPs for electrical energy production, and to regulate energy sales.

In accordance with this, the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) issued a set of criteria that establish general principles to ideally be met by investors.

A competition for construction and operation of NPPs and energy sale was held on 24 September 2008 by the Turkish Electricity Trading and Contracting Company (TETAS), for the construction of NPP units on the Akkuyu site.

Only one consortium bid for the competition. After evaluating the technical documents provided by the consortium, TAEK announced, on 19 December 2008, that the proposed NPP met TAEK’s criteria.

The last envelope provided by the consortium on 24 September 2008, including the energy sale unit price, was opened by TETAS on 19 January 2009. After assessment, the competition performed on 24 September 2008 was canceled by TETAS on 20 November 2009.

FIG. 3. Location of nuclear power plant sites.

Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant

Direct negotiations with the Russian Federation to build an NPP on the Akkuyu site in Turkey started in February 2010, and concluded with an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) based on a build–own–operate (BOO) model. The agreement was signed on 12 May 2010. It aims to build nuclear capacity in Turkey through mutual cooperation, ranging from NPP construction and operation in Akkuyu–Mersin, to decommissioning.

For the implementation phase of the project, the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant Electricity Generation Joint Stock Company (Akkuyu Project Company, APC), was established on 13 December 2010. On 7 February 2011, TAEK recognized APC as the owner, according to the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations. Akkuyu NPP Electricity Generation JSC was renamed and registered as Akkuyu Nuclear JSC (Akkuyu Project Company, APC) in September 2014.

In 2011, the Akkuyu site, with the existing site licence, was given to APC. Then, APC started site investigations in Akkuyu to update site characteristics and parameters, according to the national procedures laid out in the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations. In May 2012, APC submitted an updated site report (USR) to TAEK. A review and assessment were conducted by TAEK, its Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety and the IAEA and positive decision for the USR was given in December 2013. Then, a site parameters report (SPR) was submitted to TAEK in November 2014. The updated SPR (Rev. 2), which addresses the site licence’s validity, was submitted to TAEK in December 2015. The report was updated according to TAEK’s evaluation findings. The SPR (Rev. 4), which was presented by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC and which includes the results of detailed site investigations performed at the NPP site and the precise values of the project parameters, was approved by TAEK on 9 February 2017.

On 3 March 2017, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC applied to TAEK for a construction licence for Akkuyu NPP Unit 1 and TAEK awarded a limited work permit to APC on 20 October 2017. Under this permit, APC was able to start construction of that part of the building and infrastructure unrelated to nuclear safety, such as the port, road and personnel buildings. After reviewing the licence application documents, TAEK issued the construction licence on 2 April 2018. With this licence, APC can start construction of nuclear safety related buildings and infrastructures such as a reactor or turbine buildings. On 3 April 2018, construction of the 1st unit of Akkuyu NPP formally launched with the pouring of concrete for the sub-base foundation of the nuclear island.

APC applied to the Ministry of the Environment and Urbanism (MoEU) for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) on 2 December 2011 and submitted the EIA to MoEU on 6 December 2013. An affirmative decision was given on 1 December 2014.

APC obtained an electricity generation licence (EGL) for 49 years from EMRA on 15 June 2017. In addition, APC and TETAS signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) on 30 December 2017.

Fundamental aspects of the IGA to build and operate a nuclear power plant on the Akkuyu site in Turkey include:

• The Russian party established a joint stock project company in Turkey initially with a 100% share.

• The Turkish party allocated Akkuyu site to the project company free of charge until the decommissioning of the NPP. Other additional land shall also be allocated free of charge if required.

• The Russian party’s share will never be below 51% at any time (and the Government of the Russian Federation will be the guarantor of the project).

• APC will be the owner of the NPP.

• The general contractor will be JSC Atomstroyexport (ASE).

• The Russian party shall provide funding to ASE for the construction of NPPs.

• 15 year PPA will be awarded to APC for:

• 70% of the electricity generated by Units 1 and 2;

• 30% of the electricity generated by Units 3 and 4

• Generated electricity shall be bought by TETAS in accordance with a PPA for 15 years at US $0.1235/kWh (fixed price, no escalation) on weighted average.

• In case of less production than the volume stipulated in the PPA, APC shall fulfill its obligations by providing the lacking volume of electricity.

• Nuclear fuel shall be sourced from suppliers based on long term agreements entered into between APC and the suppliers.

• Subject to separate agreements that may be agreed by the parties, spent nuclear fuel of Russian origin may be reprocessed in the Russian Federation.

• APC is responsible for the decommissioning and the waste management of the NPP. Within this framework, APC will make the necessary payments to relevant funds.

• For the PPA period:

• US $0.0015/kWh shall be paid for spent fuel and radioactive waste management;

• US $0.0015/kWh shall be paid for decommissioning.

• Turkish companies and citizens will be included in the project to the extent possible.

• The project will be subject to all applicable laws, regulations and codes in Turkey. All necessary licences, permits and approvals from related governmental organizations shall be obtained by APC.

Sinop Nuclear Power Plant

Electricity Generation Joint Stock Company (EUAS) is a state owned company and the largest electricity generation company in Turkey. EUAS operates the existing hydraulic and thermal power plants, including their maintenance, repair and rehabilitation. EUAS has been given the role of state operating organization for NPPs that are owned and operated by the state (as whole owner or shareholder).

EUAS applied to TAEK as an owner on 2 August 2012. EUAS was recognized by TAEK as an owner on 22 August 2012. After being recognized as an owner by TAEK, EUAS initiated the preparation of the site report for the Sinop NPP in order to obtain a site licence in accordance with TAEK regulations.

In the meantime, another study of the installation of NPPs in Sinop Province was begun. A joint declaration was signed between state owned utility EUAS and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) in Istanbul, on 10 March 2010, for the construction, commissioning, operation and decommissioning of the Sinop NPP. However, during the negotiations, an agreement was not reached with the Republic of Korea.

Following that, negotiations with the Government of Japan and Japanese companies started on 26 November 2010, for the Sinop NPP. After the Fukushima Daiichi accident, negotiations with Japan were suspended.

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR) negotiated with candidate vendor countries (such as Canada, China, Japan, Republic of Korea). An agreement between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of Japan on Cooperation for Development of Nuclear Power Plants and the Nuclear Power Industry in the Republic of Turkey was signed on 3 May 2013. This agreement entered into force on 31 of July 2015 after completion of diplomatic procedures.

In the context of the Sinop project, feasibility studies are ongoing for verification of site suitability and development of the financial scheme. It is expected that the feasibility studies will be completed by the first half of 2018. After the feasibility studies have been completed, the Sinop Project Company (SPC) will be established.

EUAS International Incorporated Cell Company (EUAS ICC) was established on Jersey Island in 2016 as an international private nuclear company of EUAS.

According to the Sinop IGA, EUAS ICC will be a shareholder of the SPC together with a Japan consortium which consists of Mitsubushi, Itochu and ENGIE.

A law on the establishment of a Turkish–Japanese Science and Technology University was ratified by the Turkish Parliament in 2016.

Having applied for an EIA, EUAS ICC organized a public participation meeting on 6 February 2018.

Third Nuclear Power Plant

For the third NPP, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by EUAS, Westinghouse EC and SNPTC (Chinese State Power Technology Company) for the implementation of feasibility studies of the third NPP on 13 June 2017. Currently, site selection studies are ongoing for the third NPP project.

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR) is the main body of the Turkish energy sector. It is responsible for the preparation and implementation of energy policies, plans and programmes, in coordination with its dependent and related institutions and with other public and private entities.

The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) was established by Laws No. 4628 and 4646. The |Law on the Electricity Market, published in the Official Gazette on 3 March 2001, was enacted to unbundle electricity market activities, enable progress into a liberalized electricity market and provide fair and transparent market regulation.

The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) is responsible for:

• Determining the basis of the national policy and the related plans and programmes regarding the peaceful utilization of atomic energy;

• Executing and supporting research, analysis and studies that encourage the nation’s scientific, technological and economic development related to the utilization of atomic energy;

• Establishing research and training centres, laboratories, test facilities and pilot plants without electricity producing purposes wherever there is need in the country;

• Educating the personnel in the nuclear field and arranging cooperation with universities and related organizations;

• Providing approval, permission and licences related to site selection, construction and operation of nuclear facilities;

• Enlightening the public on nuclear matters;

• Preparing and implementing decrees and regulations to determine the basis for nuclear and radiological safety and security.

TAEK conducts experimental and theoretical studies at its research centers, and collaborates in projects with universities and other related organizations. The research infrastructure at the Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre of TAEK is especially devoted to research and development activities addressing issues for nuclear reactor and fuel technology.

The Ministry of the Environment and Urbanism has jurisdiction for making environmental assessment reports for power plants, including nuclear power plants.

The Turkish Electricity Trading and Contracting Company (TETAS) is responsible for electricity wholesale sales and purchases.

The Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEIAS) is the transmission system operator and is responsible for planning, installing and operating the transmission grid.

FIG. 4. Organizations taking part in the Turkish nuclear energy programme.

The nuclear policy of the country includes R&D activities concerning the application of nuclear technology in various sectors such as energy, environment, human health, industry and agriculture etc.

The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) was established as the nuclear regulatory body by Law No. 2690. TAEK regulates all nuclear and radiation activities and facilities in Turkey. Law No. 2690 gives TAEK authority and responsibility for ensuring nuclear safety and nuclear security by licensing and inspecting such activities and facilities. TAEK also coordinates and supports research and development activities in the nuclear field.

TAEK operates three nuclear research and training centers to perform research, training and development activities:

1. Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre;

2. Sarayköy Nuclear Research and Training Centre;

3. Ankara Nuclear Research and Training Centre.

Although Turkey has no nuclear power plants, there are two research reactors. The governmental research centre Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centre (ÇNAEM), which is one of the three institutions affiliated with TAEK, cooperates with universities and other scientific and research institutes for the development and application of nuclear science and technology for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. ÇNAEM commissioned a 1 MW research reactor (TR 1) in 1962 for both research and production of isotopes for industrial and medical purposes. It was operational from 1962 to 1977, and has since been dismantled. A pool type 5 MW reactor (TR 2) was later built in the same building and operated at 5 MW between 1984 and 1994 for irradiation purposes. It operated at low power levels between 1995 and 2009 due to the fact that updates of seismic evaluation studies of the reactor building were required. In 2013, the project to strengthen the reactor building was completed.

The second research reactor in Turkey, ITU TRIGA MARK II, reached its first criticality on 11 March 1979. It is a pool type, light water cooled and graphite reflected reactor. The ITU TRIGA MARK II reactor is capable of steady state operation at power levels up to 250 kW or pulsing mode operation where powers as high as 1200 MW are achieved for about 10 msec.

The General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) is responsible for systematic investigation and research into all kinds of resources, including thorium and uranium.

Research and development activities in nuclear technology are performed by a limited number of universities in Turkey. Hacettepe, Istanbul Technical, Ankara, Ege and Akdeniz universities are among the notable ones.

Not applicable.

TAEK closely follows worldwide trends and progress in the field of nuclear reactor technologies and fuel cycles.

Turkey is an associate member of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, which is the world’s leading laboratory for particle physics. All activities related to CERN in Turkey are coordinated and sponsored by TAEK. Turkey is a founding member of the Synchrotron-Light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME), and TAEK is the funding and representing authority for SESAME. Turkey’s main objectives are to establish a qualified workforce by actively participating in the experimental programmes of CERN and SESAME, and to follow worldwide scientific progress.

TAEK, as the regulatory body of Turkey, undertakes all the regulatory activities concerning nuclear and radiation safety together with the coordination and support of research and development activities in the nuclear field.

TAEK was established by Law No. 2690 as a government body reporting to the Prime Minister. TAEK has been affiliated with MENR since 2002.

Law No. 2690 defines the duties and responsibilities of the TAEK as follows:

1. To determine the basis of the national policy and related plans and programmes in connection with the peaceful utilization of atomic energy for the national interest and to submit them to the Prime Minister for approval; to engage in all kinds of R&D, studies and activities for the utilization of atomic energy in national scientific, technical and economic development and to coordinate and support such activities in this field.

2. To determine the general principles to be complied with in all kinds of prospecting, exploiting, purification, distribution, import, export, trade, transport, use, transfer and storage of nuclear raw material, special fissionable material and other strategic materials used in nuclear fields and to advise and cooperate thereon.

3. To establish research and training centres, units, laboratories, test centres and pilot plants without energy production purposes located in the necessary places of the country or have them established, and to operate them or have them operated; to carry out activities aiming at the localization of nuclear technology; to propose the establishment of processing, purification and any other facilities related to the fuel cycle.

4. To establish and operate radioisotope production, quality control, scaling and distribution facilities.

5. To set out the principles and provisions for protection against the hazards of ionizing radiation in the activities performed using radiation equipment, radioactive materials, special fissionable materials and such ionizing radiation sources and to determine the limits of liability.

6. To grant licences as a basis for authorization to public or private bodies or persons who possess, utilize, import or export, transport, store and trade the radioactive materials and radiation equipment and to inspect them regarding radiation protection; to enforce the insurance liability for these activities; to suspend or revoke the licence permanently or temporarily if licensees are in contravention of the provisions of the radiation regulations; to decide on the closure of an authorized organization if it deems it necessary and to commence legal actions within the frame of general legal principles.

7. To prepare the decrees and regulations defining the general principles for the utilization, export, import, transport and insurance liability of radioisotopes.

8. To grant approval, permission and licences for nuclear power and research reactors and nuclear fuel cycle facilities related to site selection, construction, operation and environmental protection; to perform necessary inspections and controls; to restrict the operating authority in case of noncompliance with the permission or licence; to revoke or suspend the permission or licence and to recommend closure of those installations to the Prime Minister.

9. To prepare the necessary technical guides, decrees and regulations for those purposes.

10. To take the necessary measures or have them taken for the safe management, transport, permanent or temporary storage of radioactive waste generated by nuclear facilities and radioisotope laboratories.

11. To establish relations and to cooperate with the national institutions and bodies in the field of atomic energy; to participate in the scientific studies of foreign and international institutions and bodies working in the field of nuclear energy and to contact and cooperate with such institutions; to programme and distribute the aid and assistances supplied from domestic or foreign sources for all kinds of nuclear studies.

12. To train the personnel who will work in the nuclear field or to assist their training when necessary and to cooperate with related organizations and higher educational institutions; to comment on the distribution of domestic fellowships in the nuclear field; to distribute foreign fellowships; to conduct training courses and help them to be conducted in the country; to send students and personnel abroad; to plan and oversee their education and studies.

13. To collect, disseminate and introduce the information and the results of the studies from inside and outside the country related to the application of atomic energy; to announce the necessary information to the public; to inform the public on nuclear matters.

14. To carry out studies related to national and international law in the nuclear field and to propose the required arrangements.

15. To prepare and implement decrees and regulations on the protection of nuclear materials and facilities, to inspect them, to give comments on regulations related to this subject prepared by other organizations.

TAEK has a president and three vice presidents, who are appointed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey. The administrative organs of TAEK include the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the Advisory Council, specialized technical and administrative departments and research centres. The organizational structure of TAEK is defined by Law No. 2690. The recent organizational structure of TAEK was approved in 2012.

As a public organization, TAEK complies with the Law on Public Financial Administration and Control (No. 5018 of 2003), which provides a general quality management system (QMS) to public organizations.

The president of TAEK chairs the AEC, which consists of the vice presidents of TAEK; one member each from the Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MENR; and four faculty members in the field of nuclear energy. The responsibilities of AEC are:

• To set the working principles and programmes of TAEK, to approve the draft budget for submittal to the Prime Minister;

• To draft laws, decrees and regulations related to the nuclear field, and to submit them to the Prime Minister;

• To supervise and assess the activities of TAEK, and to submit the annual work programme and annual work report of TAEK to the Prime Minister.

AEC also acts as a decision making body for licences and some of the permits for nuclear installations.

The Advisory Council consists of faculty members in the nuclear field and experts from other related institutions and bodies. The members of the Advisory Council are nominated by the AEC and appointed with the approval of the Prime Minister. The Advisory Council gives advice on matters forwarded by the AEC.

TAEK’s main organization consists of four technical and one administrative department:

• Department of Nuclear Safety (DNS), (regulatory activities in nuclear safety and security);

• Department of Radiological Health and Safety (regulatory activities in radiation, transport and waste safety);

• Department of Technology (technological development in the nuclear field);

• Department of Research, Development and Coordination (coordination of all kinds of activities in the nuclear field);

• Department of Administrative and Financial Affairs (administrative and financial activities of TAEK).

The main responsibilities of DNS include licensing of nuclear installations (review and assessment of documentation related to nuclear safety), preparation of regulations and inspection of nuclear installations.

Nuclear power plant licensing activities are carried out by DNS, the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety (ACNS) and the Vice President for Nuclear Power and Safety. During the licensing process, the safety analysis reports submitted by the applicant are reviewed and assessed by DNS and ACNS. DNS prepares an evaluation report taking into consideration the advice of ACNS. The evaluation report is submitted to the Vice President for Nuclear Power and Safety. The Vice President prepares a report indicating the results of the evaluations and sends it to the President of TAEK. The President of TAEK takes the DNS safety analysis reports together with the report prepared by the Vice President to the first meeting of the AEC for a licensing decision.

ACNS is established and its main responsibilities are defined in the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations of 1983. The members of ACNS are faculty members and experts working in relevant fields. ACNS performs an independent review of the documents submitted with licence applications.

TAEK also operates three nuclear research and training centres to conduct research, training and development activities.

FIG. 7. Organization chart of the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority.

In Turkey, nuclear installations are licensed by TAEK regarding nuclear safety, security and radiation protection issues. The licensing procedure is initiated by the applicant, to be recognized as the ‘owner’. The licensing process for an NPP comprises three main stages in succession: site licence, construction licence and operating licence. There are several permits functioning as hold points during the licensing process. These include the limited work permit, commissioning permit, permit to bring fuel to the site, fuel loading and test operations permit for the operating licence. For each authorization, documents required for review and assessment by TAEK are defined in the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations of 1983. There is no design approval authorization in Turkey. The decree also requires the owner to apply for authorization by TAEK for every modification that may have an impact on the safety of nuclear installation. The authorization process for the decommissioning stage is not defined in the decree. This issue will be addressed in the draft Nuclear Energy Law.

TAEK’s licensing approach is defined in the Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants of 2012, which lays out the rules for establishing a licensing basis for NPPs. These rules state that the issues insufficiently addressed by existing Turkish regulations on nuclear safety shall be covered by requiring compliance with the regulations of the vendor or designer country and the IAEA’s safety standards, particularly its safety fundamentals and safety requirements. For remaining issues, third party country laws, regulations and standards are referenced. The directive also requires the applicant to submit to the regulatory body a reference plant of the proposed design to facilitate the licensing process. The directive was established in accordance with the principles laid out in the IAEA publication INSAG-26, Licensing the First Nuclear Power Plant.

This directive is being implemented for the Akkuyu project. A list of applicable regulations, guides and standards was determined by the owner according to Article 6 of the directive. AEC of TAEK approved the list on 2 November 2012. The revised list (Rev. 2) was approved on 14 November 2014. The List of Licensing Basis for Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is mainly composed of Turkish regulations, IAEA Safety Fundamentals and Requirements and Russian Federation regulations. The list also contains standards and guides of Turkey and the Russian Federation. Novovoronezh-II NPP in the Russian Federation is approved as the reference plant for Akkuyu NPP by AEC of TAEK according to Article 7 of the Directive on Determination of Licensing Basis Regulations, Guides and Standards and Reference Plant for Nuclear Power Plants of 2012.

In addition, NPPs should obtain an affirmative decision on an environmental impact assessment, according to the Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessment from the Ministry of the Environment and Urbanization as a prerequisite to the site licence, and an electricity production licence from the Energy Market Regulatory Authority.

The Department of Nuclear Safety (DNS) is the responsible unit for the licensing of nuclear installations (review and assessment of documentation related to nuclear safety), preparation and amendment of regulations and inspection of nuclear installations.

Nuclear power plant licensing activities are carried out by the Department of Nuclear Safety, ACNS and The Vice President for Nuclear Power and Safety.

During the licensing process, the safety analysis reports submitted by the applicant are reviewed and assessed by DNS and ACNS. DNS prepares an evaluation report taking into consideration the advice of ACNS. The evaluation report is submitted to the Vice President for Nuclear Power and Safety. The Vice President prepares a report indicating results of the evaluations and sends it to the President of the TAEK. The President of TAEK takes the DNS safety analysis reports together with the report prepared by the Vice President to the first meeting of the AEC for a licensing decision.

ACNS’s main responsibilities are defined in the Decree on Licensing of Nuclear Installations. The members of ACNS are faculty members and experts working in relevant fields. ACNS performs an independent review of the documents submitted with licence applications.