Energy and Natural Resources Ministry Undersecretary Fatih Dönmez and Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation Director General Alexey Likhachev visited the Akkuyu nuclear power plant (NPP) for on-site examinations regarding the activities carried out under the limited working permit. The construction will create around 10,000 jobs, while 3,500 people will be employed after it begins operation.

Dönmez, who received information from authorities involved in the project, said the power plant will improve the region's future and increase the level of welfare to a great extent.

Dönmez said that they continue to work in collaboration with the Russian side. "About 10,000 people will be employed while the Akkuyu NPP's construction is most intensive, and about 3,500 jobs will be provided during operation. The majority will consist of Turkish citizens," he said. Dönmez pointed out that the limited working permit for the first unit was received from the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK) in October, adding that with this permission, construction of all structures unrelated to nuclear safety and sub-base concrete structures related to nuclear safety, such as reactors, can be carried out. "We are continuing to work in collaboration with the Russian side in the direction of the Akkuyu NPP's first unit to be in operation in 2023," Dönmez said.

Likhachev said that the work on the first unit reactor's foundation pit was completed on Dec. 2, carried out by a Turkish company, and that it was completed within the projected schedule. Indicating that in this framework, seismic and meteorological parameters, groundwater, seawater and monitoring studies within the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report are regularly carried out, Likhachev said the Akkuyu NPP's construction is carried out in line with the legislation of the Republic of Turkey and under TAEK direct regulations, supervision and inspections. Stressing that 35 percent to 40 percent of the project can be covered by Turkish firms and the monetary compensation for it will be about $6 billion to $8 billion, Likhachev said more than 350 Turkish companies have applied to be on the list of potential suppliers within for the project and some of them have received initial orders for infrastructure.

He said over 300 people work in the field, and 90 percent of them are Turkish citizens who live in nearby districts such as Gülnar, Büyükeceli, Silifke, Taşucu and Aydıncık.