Nuclear Energy Investments In Turkey: “NU” And “Clear” Legal Framework

The Nuclear Law,¹ which provides general outlines for the commissioning, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants, was recently enacted after a long period of debates. The Nuclear Law establishes the general principles and leaves the implementation thereof to ancillary legislation issued by the Turkish Atomic Energy Institution ("TAEK") or the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources ("MENR").

On 28 November 2007, TAEK organized a meeting which included the participation of non-governmental organizations, and introduced the "draft TAEK criteria" comprising nuclear security, licensing, reactor types, power plant life spans, technological know-how, fuel technology, domestic participation, operating experience and electrical output power. The definitive criteria were published on 19 December 2007.