Turkey to partner with Japan to establish university with nuclear specialty

Indicating that the government holds nuclear technology as a needed strategy in its energy policy, Deputy Energy Minister Hasan Murat Mercan announced on Saturday that a university with a specialty in nuclear studies will be established in the country with the partnership of Japan.

Speaking at a conference in Bursa themed Turkey's energy problem and solution plan, Mercan said that Turkey has very little knowledge and experience with nuclear technology, but the government is determined to increase the use of local sources in building a planned third nuclear power plant. Nuclear technology is something many countries are persistently wanting to use. We have tendered the construction of two nuclear power plants to Russia and Japan, but we want to increase the use of local knowledge and sources to over 30 to 40 percent in a third plant. We have sent over 100 young professionals for education in Russia and we are establishing a university that will be specialized in nuclear technology to meet our demand for human capital in the area.

Pointing out that Turkey has been left behind in nuclear technology, Mercan criticized the lack of development for it in the country. Thirteen percent of the electricity produced in the world is via nuclear power plants, however Turkey has zero nuclear production. Our aim is to catch up with these numbers, he said.

Furthermore, he said: "In 2010, 810 billion megawatts of electricity was produced worldwide through nuclear technology. France produced 75 percent of its electricity from nuclear power. Although the initial investment is costly, the production phase is cheaper and more organic. For example, with natural gas, we keep consuming energy purchased from other counties. But our energy policies are trying to focus on local sources and the diversification of energy sources. Turkey's energy sources must be 30 percent natural gas, 30 percent renewable resources, 30 percent hydroelectric and 10 percent nuclear.

Underlining that the government will go as far as it can in searching for petroleum and shale gas, Mercan commented, We have the same chances of finding both of them. In addition, he emphasized the importance of the present liberalized energy market in the country, particularly with electricity and natural gas distribution. He said: As the ministry, we are working on the market to reach European standards both in production and distribution. We are also working toward the establishment of an energy exchange market.

Mercan stressed that Turkey will not give up on energy as it needs to increase its energy production by twice as much by 2023. The world average for the production of electricity from natural gas is 21 percent, but in Turkey it is 43 percent. We also rank high in the use of hydroelectric power plants.

In response to the criticism from people regarding the establishment of wind power plants, Mercan explained: These people came to the ministry to stop the projects, but everything has a cost. It is the duty of our ministry to lessen environmental impacts of our projects, but we cannot stop production as we are obliged to use and produce power.

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-320872-turkey-to-partner-with-japan-to-establish-university-with-nuclear-specialty.html

Source: http://www.network54.com/Forum/248068/message/1373877234/

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