Türkiye's Nuclear Power Plans Draw Divided Reactions From Academics and Business Groups

Türkiye's government push to build nuclear power plants has sparked debate among academics, engineers, and business leaders, with supporters and opponents offering sharply different views on the country's energy future.

Several prominent voices backed the initiative. Ankara University professor Mustafa Ozcan Ultanir, who also chairs a renewable energy business association, argued that nuclear power is necessary to meet Türkiye's long-term electricity needs alongside renewables. Middle East Technical University (METU) mechanical engineering professor Orhan Yesin noted that nuclear plants produce no greenhouse gases, making them preferable to coal-fired facilities, and recommended the government choose among third-generation reactor designs such as the EPR, ABWR, AP1000, or CANDU. Business groups MUSIAD and the Ankara Chamber of Industry also expressed support.

Critics pushed back firmly. METU chemistry professor Inci Gokmen pointed out that most Western nations have not opened a new nuclear plant since 1978, and warned that Türkiye would face fuel import dependency and unresolved waste disposal problems. The Chamber of Turkish Electrical Engineers vowed to pursue legal action if the government proceeded. The Chamber of Turkish Environment Engineers chairman called nuclear technology outdated and criticized plans for a ministerial investment meeting scheduled for 12 May.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in May 2006, in its own words.