The news follows last week’s ratification by the Turkish parliament of the
Sino-Turkish Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.
As
some claim that Turkey is distancing itself from its Western energy-business
partners after the failed coup attempt of July 15, the country appears to be
increasing focus on its technological capabilities and access to clean energy,
as a means of becoming energy independent.
Ankara has opted to cooperate with
Beijing, ratifying an agreement which includes not only nuclear power plant
construction on Turkish territory, but also joint nuclear power development
with China and the US.
The Chinese State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation
will implement technologies obtained in collaboration with US-based
Westinghouse Electric company.
The potential technological tripartite arrangement
could result in significant regional and global political clout, according to
the Asia Times.
After a successful contract with Russia in 2010 to build
Turkey's first nuclear plant in Akkuyu, Ankara made plans for a second plant,
to be located in Sinop, on the Black Sea.
Among potential partners were Japan,
a plan which was suspended following the Fukushima disaster. Canada, China and
South Korea were also considered as possible partners.
Although Beijing's
financing made the Chinese option attractive, the Turkish government in May
2013 awarded the construction of the second Turkish nuclear power plant to a
Japanese-French consortium.
Turkey nonetheless continued collaborating with China on energy-related
issues. Beginning November 2014, Turkey and China boosted mutual cooperation,
and that year signed an agreement of exclusivity with the Chinese State Nuclear
Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) for a third nuclear plant.
In June,
Turkish Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, during a visit to China for the G20
Energy Ministers Meeting, signed a memorandum of understanding for the mutual
development of nuclear power technologies.
In August, China's deputy minister
of foreign affairs, Zhang Ming, visited Turkey to express solidarity with the
country's elected government and to discuss energy issues.
Ratification of a
2012 nuclear cooperation agreement with China came soon after.
Currently, the
Chinese State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) is close to winning
the competition to construct Turkey's third nuclear power plant, slated to cost
some $25 million and have a 5,000-megawatt capacity.
Published time 20:18 Toronto
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