Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler told an audience at the Association of Economy Reporters in Istanbul in October 2006 that Türkiye would not use a traditional tender process to pursue nuclear energy. Instead, he said selection would be based on which bidders could complete the work fastest and at the lowest cost, with legislation drafted accordingly.
Guler expressed a preference for private-sector participation in the country's nuclear energy program.
On the question of potential supply disruptions, the minister said Türkiye did not anticipate natural gas shortages under normal conditions. He noted that steps had already been taken to expand electricity capacity over the summer, with new investments under way.
Guler also said additional investment would be needed for Türkiye to reach European Union energy standards. Separately, he highlighted progress in developing boron-based products and expressed a desire to grow the country's boron trade.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in October 2006, in its own words.