Critical Threshold Crossed at Akkuyu NPP: First Reactor Turbines Ready for Steam

A pivotal milestone in the physical commissioning of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NGS), one of Turkey's strategic energy projects, has been successfully achieved. According to an official statement by Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, a trial vacuum creation process was successfully completed in the turbine condenser of the plant's first power unit. This development confirms that the main systems of the turbine facility are fully ready for the next, more critical phase, bringing the station closer to energy production.

Thermomechanical Integrity Verified

The operation served as a test of engineering prowess, where experts utilized the created vacuum in the turbine condenser unit to meticulously check the system's tightness and the turbine's thermomechanical condition.

■Vacuum level and steam pressure in the condenser

■Temperature regime of the bearings

■Thermal expansions of the body and rotors

■Operation of turbine blades in compliance with design requirements

The monitoring of these parameters verified the reliability of the turbine, which was rotated via a shaft turning gear.

Final Steps Toward Steam Generators

The operation, which lasted approximately 6 hours following days of preparation, saw the simultaneous activation of numerous technological systems, including standby start-up boilers, vacuum systems, bearing lubrication systems, and hydraulic lifting systems. Akkuyu Nuclear JSC General Director Sergei Butckikh remarked that this success demonstrates the turbine facility is operating under design conditions and is ready to receive steam from the steam generators.

The next significant stop in the commissioning works of the 1st power unit's turbine building will be the gas tightness check of the turbine generator. The condenser's role in creating vacuum at the turbine outlet to ensure more efficient use of steam energy is crucial for the plant's economic sustainability.

This infrastructure milestone signals more than just progress for the energy sector; it is a pivotal indicator for macroeconomic stability. The transition to nuclear energy aims to lower import-dependent energy costs in the long run, alleviating pressure on the current account deficit. This can enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy in the fight against inflation, paving the way for the dissipation of the inflationary environment that erodes individual savings. Increased energy supply security can reduce market volatility and make long-term capital planning more predictable.