Turkish state-owned nuclear energy company TÜNAŞ and subsidiary of Canada's AtkinsRealis signed an ​agreement to conduct a feasibility study for a ⁠potential expansion of Türkiye's nuclear power ⁠program, the Canadian firm said.

The company said in a statement that it would carry out a comprehensive study to be completed ​by the end of 2027 for a potential ​multi-unit ⁠nuclear project, as well as front-end engineering and design (FEED) work.

Türkiye is looking to expand its nuclear programme beyond the 4.8-gigawatt (GW) Akkuyu plant under construction by Russia's Rosatom in the Mediterranean province of Mersin, with sites in the Black Sea province of Sinop and the northwestern Thrace region identified as potential locations for new plants.

Joe St. Julian, President, Nuclear at AtkinsRealis, told Reuters that the parties were currently discussing a six-unit plan for a 4.5-gigawatt plant in Türkiye, adding that they planned to complete the engineering design study by 2028, with that leading to a final investment decision.

There was also agreement on a road map ⁠for financing the project, St. Julian said.

The agreement was signed by AtkinsRealis subsidiary Candu Energy on the sidelines of the COP31 climate summit in the southern ​Turkish province of Antalya.

Ankara has said it was in talks with ​Canada, South Korea, Russia, Japan and China on a potential plant. It has signed memorandums of understanding with Canada ⁠and ‌South Korea ‌on nuclear cooperation, with financing and costs being ⁠a key factor.

Last week, unveiling the ‌country's national energy plan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Ankara aims to raise nuclear ​capacity to 10 GW ⁠by 2040 and expects nuclear power to meet ⁠11% of electricity demand by then.

He has also ⁠described 2027 as a ​decision year for plans in Sinop or Thrace.