I mention this whenever I find the opportunity; if we cannot solve our energy and technology openings, we won't be able to avoid entering barren arguments or make the economic leap we need. Thus, the analyses in our columns require that we focus on these matters. Then, since we are experiencing developments related with the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), let us say hello to an energy contact. Besides, by involving technology this time….
First of all, let us begin by congratulating everyone. The foundations of the sea structures of Turkey's first nuclear plant Akkuyu have been laid on Tuesday. Previously, I had explained how our nuclear story started with Menderes, waited 60 years and “aged before growing up”. Thus, it's pleasing to see some concrete steps had been taken in the atom project, which is being repeated since the immemorial time in these lands, finally.
Of course, nuclear power is also a sensitive matter to which the community can remain distant. Within this context, we even witnessed protests on the groundbreaking day. Because of this reason, talking about nuclear energy openly and working towards reconciliation are both extremely crucial. I will not mention the subjects I've talked about before; however, let me once again underline the necessity of concentrating on the matter of NIMBY and address my old articles.
Today, I want to handle the nuclear plant matter from a different point: Localization.
Our local plant dream
Our plans are ready. The related objective in our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resource's 2015-2019 Strategic Plan states; “Nuclear energy's inclusion to the electric energy production portfolio will be provided.”
Within this context, while Akkuyu NPP starts test productions towards the end of 2018, a year after that, the construction of Sinop NPP will begin and feasibility and investment preparations will begin for the 3rd NPP.
While NPP plans will be advancing towards the end of 2019 in this way, we are required to concentrate on one of our ultimate goals: “plant localization”. Because, the local contribution, which should be gradually concentrated in these plants, is required to go beyond construction, simple materials and subcontracting aspects. Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible for us to properly make use of the “industry and high technology”, along with the “energy support” benefit of nuclear.
It's clear that the NPP installation is a complicated process that gathers various production skills together; however, there are also examples for countries, which learned how to construct thousands of various components of the plants themselves. At this point, the most important element is to make the right plans and provide coordination… there is a big task facing both the private and public sector.
Inventory and guidance
The objective we want to reach is to localize the inventory and techniques that are essential in the production of nuclear reactors and supporting elements. Then, determining the situation of localization with a sectoral map related with the NPP technology is our priority task. Under the favor of this inventory study, which had already started, we will be able to conduct and effectively process by designating our existing active/inactive skills and technologies and applying complementary methods.
Of course, at this point we should emphasize that there is a matter especially related to the nuclear power. The matter concerns the related machinery, equipment and material which possess a high-security parameter. These components, which we can classify as critical technologies, are required to provide the ability of being adapted to international standards.
In the sense of reaching the nuclear quality in question; while the technology transfer and research-development works are important, the cooperation between sectors and institutions are of great importance also. For example; in order to be successful in producing some of the required special materials, practical opportunities might be created with the support of the public sector's accumulation and infrastructure. Besides, the clustering of the corporations among themselves will be creating a synergy.
A low risk environment is required
In order to reach the localization objective in nuclear power, encouraging the industry is a must. The state is required to act as a locomotive and create a low risk environment in the production of materials that sometimes requires compact capital investments. For example, we can state that this factor played a leading role in South Korea's success in constructing their nuclear capabilities. Also, another critical matter is; we shouldn't forget that, in order for the industry in question to gain meaning in an economic sense, developing partnerships in foreign markets is necessary.
Thus, if effective strategies are carried out, while local contribution rates in NPPs increase, the dependency on the foreign market in supply might be decreased. In the sense of creating a work load and not shaking the current account balance, this point is important.
Here, the localization of nuclear plants, whose general outlines I've mentioned, will become a trigger, which will not only provide energy production for Turkey, but also help the industry production to be on the rise in terms of quantity and quality.
With nuclear energy, Turkey will be climbing a ladder in energy and industry.
Thus, we need to establish an extensive strategy for the radical foundations that are required to be laid for our future with nuclear energy.
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