The Necessity of Nuclear-Based Energy Production for Turkey

Abstract

Although Turkey has abundant conventional energy sources, except for lignite and hydro energies, these sources are not enough for meeting increasing energy demand. Large portions of energy demands are met by energy sources imported from other countries, and foreign dependence on energy increases every year. Energy projections show that Turkey will have to import 76.5% of the energy that it consumes in the 2020s. Although nuclear energy promises to produce clean power and reduce foreign dependence, Turkey cannot use nuclear power for electricity production, despite serious efforts over the last three decades. Nevertheless, it is hopeful that work on building nuclear power plants have been recently intensified. Turkey should start producing electricity by nuclear power as soon as possible. Use of domestic thorium reserves should also be included in the recent work.

Keywords:

• foreign dependence on energy
• nuclear energy
• thorium
• Turkey