The completion of another major construction milestone at Türkiye’s Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is expected to offer valuable lessons for African countries seeking to strengthen energy security through large-scale, low-carbon electricity generation.
Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, announced that the installation of four main circulation pump units had been completed at the onshore pumping station of Unit 2 of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, a critical component of the plant’s cooling infrastructure.
The pumps will supply seawater from the Mediterranean Sea to cool the turbine condenser, helping ensure the efficient and stable operation of the 1,200-megawatt reactor.
According to Rosatom, the four pumps will have a combined capacity of 260,000 cubic metres of water per hour—enough to fill nearly 100 Olympic-size swimming pools.
The equipment forms part of an extensive cooling system comprising offshore and onshore hydraulic structures, including pumping stations, intake and discharge facilities, distribution chambers and drainage systems.
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC Chief Executive Officer Sergei Butckikh said completing the installation allows engineers to proceed with the next phase of preparing the plant’s service cooling systems while work continues on commissioning the first unit.
“The onshore pumping station is one of the most important elements of the power unit’s infrastructure. The completion of the installation of the main circulation pumps allows us to proceed to the next stages of preparation of service cooling water systems,” he said.
Lessons for Africa’s growing power demand
The development comes as several African countries explore nuclear energy as part of long-term strategies to address chronic electricity shortages, support industrialisation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Although South Africa remains the continent’s only country operating a commercial nuclear power station, a growing number of African nations—including Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Morocco—are at different stages of developing nuclear power programmes with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and international technology partners.
For many African governments, the Akkuyu project demonstrates that nuclear power development extends beyond reactor construction to include complex engineering systems designed to ensure operational safety, efficiency and long-term reliability.
The cooling infrastructure being installed at Akkuyu highlights the extensive planning required for nuclear facilities, particularly for coastal plants that utilise seawater for condenser cooling.
Supporting industrial growth
Africa’s electricity demand is expected to increase sharply over the coming decades as populations grow, cities expand and industries develop.
Despite abundant renewable energy resources, nearly 600 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity, while many countries continue to experience frequent power outages that undermine economic growth.
Energy experts say dependable baseload generation from nuclear power could complement renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower by providing continuous electricity regardless of weather conditions.
Projects such as Akkuyu also demonstrate the importance of adopting advanced engineering standards capable of withstanding natural disasters, including floods and earthquakes—considerations that are becoming increasingly important as African countries invest in climate-resilient infrastructure.
Build-Own-Operate model attracts attention
The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is also drawing international attention because it is the first nuclear project being implemented under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, under which Rosatom is financing, constructing, owning and operating the facility.
The financing structure could provide useful insights for African countries seeking innovative ways to fund large-scale energy infrastructure without placing the full financial burden on government budgets.
When completed, the plant will consist of four Generation III+ VVER reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200MW, giving the station a total installed capacity of 4,800MW.
As African countries pursue diversified energy mixes to improve electricity access and meet climate commitments, the steady progress at Akkuyu underscores the scale of engineering, financing and international cooperation required to deliver modern nuclear power projects capable of supporting long-term economic development.
