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Akkuyu nuclear power plant project to become historic for Turkey, deputy PM says

Russia and Turkey agreed upon joint construction of the project in 2010

ANKARA, April 4. /TASS/. The project to build the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey is the republic’s biggest in its entire history, the TRT TV quoted Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying.

"Today is a historic day for Turkey. This project is the biggest in the history of our republic," he said on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took part in the ceremony to launch the construction of the Akkuyu NPP through a teleconference. The Turkish leader said the project "is a symbol of cooperation between our states and demonstrates the level of this cooperation."

Russia and Turkey agreed upon joint construction of the NPP in 2010. The agreement provides for construction of four power units in the Mersin province in the south of Turkey with the total capacity of 4,800 MW. The NPP will generate 35 bln kWh of electricity per year

The construction of the nuclear power plant will total $20 bln. The project is 100% funded by the Russian side and, according to the intergovernmental agreement, at least 51% of shares will belong to Russian companies, while 49% can be sold to investors.

The Akkuyu nuclear power plant will account for about 10% of Turkey's total power generation, the Russian leader said citing expert data.