Türkiye, Canada ink nuclear deal to assess CANDU reactors for energy mix
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced Tuesday that Türkiye and Canada have signed a nuclear cooperation memorandum of understanding between state-owned TUNAS and Canadian firm AtkinsRealis. The agreement will assess the feasibility of deploying Canada's CANDU reactor technology in Türkiye as part of efforts to diversify energy sources and increase nuclear capacity.
Türkiye and Canada have formalized cooperation in nuclear energy development through a memorandum of understanding signed Tuesday in Toronto, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced. The agreement was concluded between the Türkiye Nuclear Energy Corporation and Canadian-based nuclear company AtkinsRealis, witnessed by Bayraktar and Canadian Energy Minister Tim Hodgson.
CANDU Technology Assessment
Bayraktar emphasized the strategic significance of evaluating Canada's CANDU reactor technology, describing it as a "globally proven and advanced technology" that could be implemented in Türkiye. The MoU outlines a framework for cooperation in developing nuclear power plants, with a detailed feasibility study of the CANDU system serving as a cornerstone of the partnership. The Canadian-designed heavy-water reactors are currently operating in several countries and offer an alternative to light-water designs more common in global markets.
Energy Diversification Goals
The minister stressed that Türkiye attaches great importance to potential joint work with Canada to diversify the national energy mix and expand nuclear generation capacity. The agreement represents Ankara's continued pursuit of multiple international partnerships to advance its civilian nuclear program, which currently includes the Akkuyu plant under construction with Russian assistance and ongoing negotiations with other potential suppliers. The Canadian collaboration could provide additional technology options for future reactor projects as Türkiye seeks to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
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