Erdogan says Turkey to complete first unit of nuclear power plant by May 2023

The Turkish president said on Friday that the first unit of Akkuyu nuclear power plant will be completed by May 2023.

Speaking at a mass opening ceremony in the southern Mersin province, Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted the importance of nuclear energy for the country’s future.

"I would like to congratulate those who contributed to the acquisition and construction of this strategic investment in Akkuyu," he said, adding that Turkey aims to build more power plants.

Saying that a total of 13,000 engineers (10,000 Turkish and 3,000 Russians) are working to complete the power plant, he underlined that the facility is being constructed with the latest and safest technology in its field.

"The facility in Akkuyu will contribute to our development with the electricity it will generate, to our environment with the reduction in carbon emissions, and to our breakthroughs in this field with its technology," said Erdogan.

Turkey and Russia signed an agreement for the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant on May 12, 2010. Turkey's first nuclear power plant will consist of four reactors with a total installed power of 4,800 megawatts.

- Inaguration of Turkevi Center in New York

Speaking at a separate meeting in Mersin earlier in the day, Erdogan said he will inaugurate the Turkevi Center in New York on Monday.

The Turkish president will reach the US on Sunday as part of his visit to attend the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.

“We will open the 36-story Turkevi Center in New York on Monday, right across the UN (Headquarters),” he told his Justice and Development Party (AK) Party’s provincial advisory meeting.

The building, which uses traditional Turkish architectural motifs, especially from the Seljuk Empire, rises to the sky in the shape of a tulip and can be seen from downtown Manhattan, the East River, and Long Island.

The building was designed as a symbolic skyscraper that will add to the skyline of New York, one of the world’s most iconic cities, and reflect Turkish culture, history, and diversity.