All Stakeholders of the Nuclear Ecosystem Meet in Istanbul

The 12th Nuclear Power Plants Summit (NPPES 2026), which brought together approximately 1,100 representatives of the nuclear energy sector in Istanbul, hosted 199 new business meetings this year. At the summit, which was attended by 86 companies, international cooperation agreements were signed to strengthen Turkey's nuclear industry ecosystem.

The 12th Nuclear Power Plants Summit - NPPES, one of the most comprehensive nuclear energy organizations in Turkey, the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa, was held between 30 June and 1 July 2026 at the Süleyman Demirel Cultural Centre of Istanbul Technical University. Organized by the Ankara Chamber of Industry (ASO) and the Nuclear Industry Association (NSD), with the support of the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the summit brought together all stakeholders of the sector over two days.

This year's summit, attended by 86 companies, welcomed public representatives, technology providers, industrial organizations, sectoral bodies and academics from numerous countries, including Russia, Canada, the People's Republic of China, the United States, South Korea, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and the Czech Republic.

"Strong and domestic industry is the only way to the nuclear target"
Ankara Chamber of Industry President Seyit Ardıç stated that Turkey's goal should not be limited merely to being a country that generates nuclear energy, and said:

"Turkey's goal is to be a country that understands, develops, exports nuclear technology and has a say in international nuclear supply chains. The only way to achieve this goal is through a strong, prepared and certified domestic industry."

"A growing nuclear industry advances all sectors"
Ardıç, emphasizing that the knowledge accumulated and human resources trained through the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant will be further strengthened by new projects planned in Sinop and Thrace, made the following assessment:

"The nuclear industry requires the highest quality standards, advanced engineering and a strong certification culture. The industry that acquires this competence will increase its competitive power in many high-technology fields from defense to aviation, from automotive to healthcare. An industry rising in the nuclear sector actually carries all our industry upward."

"Turkey's nuclear energy vision is taking shape at NPPES"
Nuclear Industry Association President Alikaan Çiftçi stated that the summit is a critical platform for Turkey's nuclear energy roadmap, saying:

"We had the opportunity to evaluate the latest developments at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which is scheduled to come online this year. Additionally, we held important meetings with international technology companies showing interest in second and third nuclear power plant projects planned in Sinop and Thrace. NPPES continues to be a strategic platform where international collaborations are developed and contributes to the integration of our domestic industry into the global nuclear supply chain."

199 new business meetings held at the summit
A total of 199 new business meetings were conducted in the bilateral business meeting program organized as part of NPPES 2026.

In addition to business development meetings, important international agreements were signed to strengthen Turkey's nuclear industry infrastructure.

In this context;

-A cooperation agreement between the Ankara Chamber of Industry Nuclear Industry Cluster (ASONÜKSAK) and the Chinese Nuclear Society (CNS),
-A memorandum of understanding between the Nuclear Industry Association and the Kazakh Atomic Industry Development Association (AIDA),
-A memorandum of understanding on advanced nuclear technologies was signed between FİGES Group subsidiary ThorAtom and French INFINITIX.

Domestic and foreign experts evaluated the sector's future
Over two days, six panels and nine special presentations were held as part of the summit. Current developments in the nuclear energy sector, new technologies, supply chains, small modular reactors (SMR), domestic industry, human resources and international collaborations were evaluated by domestic and foreign experts.

At the stands in the event area, the sector's latest technologies and solutions were presented to participants.

New business opportunities discussed with Canada
At the summit, which saw strong participation from Canadian technology companies closely interested in Turkey's second nuclear power plant project, a special "CANDU Supply Chain Meeting" was held.

Additionally, at a cooperation session organized by the Canadian Nuclear Association and the Nuclear Industry Association, supply chain opportunities emerging under new nuclear energy projects in Turkey and regional countries were evaluated.

High-level participation at the opening
At the opening of NPPES 2026;

-Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources General Director of Nuclear Energy Salih Sarı
-Istanbul Technical University Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal
-US Consul General to Istanbul Michael Lally
-Canada's Chargé d'Affaires to Turkey Larisa Galadza
-Ankara Chamber of Industry President Seyit Ardıç
-Nuclear Industry Association President Alikaan Çiftçi
-Akkuyu Nuclear A.Ş. Board Chairman Anton Dedusenko
-SNPTC International Affairs Director Fei Min
-AtkinsRéalis & Nuclear Canada Senior Vice President and CANDU International President Gary Rose
-Romania National Nuclear Electric Company (SNN) COO Emil Macovei

took part with their remarks.

NPPES 2026 was attended by many leading international companies in the sector, including AtkinsRéalis, IC Nuclear Technology, SPIC, Nukem Technologies, Nuclean, Rosatom, Kinectrics and Framatome.

Detailed information about NPPES can be accessed at www.nuclearpowerplantssummit.com.