Nuclear Energy of Turkey in the context of the Russian experience

Nuclear energy has become one of the widely discussed topics in Turkey due to the controversial points of view. Turkey is new to nuclear power; the construction of the first nuclear reactor started in April of 2018. Production of electricity in Turkey is highly dependent on imported energy sources. Continuously increasing energy prices and foreign energy supply reduce national energy security and undermine the sustainable economic growth of the country, whose exports heavily depend on foreign energy sources. Therefore; one of the solutions to decrease dependence on foreign energy sources for such an industrial country, as Turkey, is to produce nuclear energy. Opinions of specialists and the population are divided in controversial groups, where advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power oppose each other. This chapter analyses the usage of nuclear power in the world and reasons for countries, which have reduced or vice versa increased the implementation of nuclear energy. The Russian company conducts the construction of the first nuclear plant in Turkey, therefore history and experience of Russia in nuclear energy are analysed in this chapter. The discussion on benefits and weaknesses of Russian experiences and how they can be applied to new a Turkish nuclear industry conclude the chapter.