Canada-Türkiye Pact Aims to Ignite Türkiye's SMR-Powered Nuclear Future

ISTANBUL, Türkiye – July 09, 2026 – A landmark agreement signed today at the Nuclear Power Plants and Energy Summit (NPPES) in Istanbul is set to accelerate Türkiye's ambitious nuclear energy program, placing a strategic focus on next-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) brings together Canadian private investment group Portland Holdings Investco Limited and Turkish technology platform Nuclean Temiz Enerji Data ve Sürdürülebilirlik Teknolojileri A.Ş.

The partnership, which receives strategic backing from the Nuclear Industry Association of Türkiye (NIATR) as a Supporting Institution, establishes a cooperative framework to build out Türkiye’s nuclear ecosystem. It targets critical areas for national capacity building, including human-capital development, technology transfer, industrial supply-chain development, and exploring potential investment avenues. This collaboration signals a pivotal moment for Türkiye's long-term energy security and its aspirations to become a key player in the future of global nuclear technology.

Türkiye's Strategic Push for Energy Sovereignty

The agreement lands amidst Türkiye's determined drive to diversify its energy mix, reduce its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, and achieve energy sovereignty. The government has laid out an ambitious roadmap that includes installing 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050 and reaching carbon neutrality by 2053. This nuclear expansion is not just an energy policy but a cornerstone of the nation’s long-term economic and industrial strategy.

Currently, the most visible symbol of this ambition is the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Mersin Province. Developed in partnership with Russia's Rosatom, the project's first 1,200 MWe reactor is on the cusp of operation, with Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar recently stating it is expected to begin generating electricity this year. Once all four of its reactors are online by the end of 2028, Akkuyu is projected to meet 10% of the country's electricity demand.

But Akkuyu is only the beginning. Türkiye is already advancing plans for two more large-scale nuclear plants: one in Sinop on the Black Sea coast, which has already received site approval, and another in the Thrace region. To execute this vision, the country is pursuing a savvy multi-vendor strategy, holding discussions with a range of international partners from South Korea, China, and Russia to secure competitive technology and foster robust international partnerships.

The Dawn of SMRs: A Global Game-Changer Arrives

This new MOU with a Canadian entity pivots the spotlight onto a more agile and advanced frontier: Small Modular Reactors. SMRs are globally hailed as a potential revolution in nuclear power. Unlike traditional, large-scale reactors, SMRs are designed to be built in factories as modules and assembled on-site, promising lower upfront costs, faster construction timelines, and greater siting flexibility. They can power heavy industry, produce hydrogen, or provide stable electricity to smaller grids where a massive plant isn't feasible.

Türkiye has firmly integrated SMRs into its long-term strategy, targeting at least 5 GWe of SMR capacity by 2050. The Portland-Nuclean pact positions Türkiye as a significant emerging market and potential testbed for these next-generation technologies. For a nation focused on building its domestic industrial base, the modular nature of SMRs presents a golden opportunity. It opens the door for Turkish companies to participate more deeply in the manufacturing and supply chain, aligning perfectly with the government's strong emphasis on localization. This strategy has been developing for some time, evidenced by a 2020 agreement between a state-owned enterprise and Rolls-Royce to evaluate SMR applicability in the country.

Forging a Nuclear Future: The Canada-Türkiye Connection

The partnership structure is designed to pair international expertise with local integration. Portland Holdings Investco Limited will act as a conduit to Canada's world-class nuclear ecosystem, which boasts a mature industry, leading academic institutions, and innovative SMR developers. This connection provides Türkiye with a crucial channel for accessing trusted technology and proven operational knowledge.

"Countries around the world are looking for access to specialized human capital and reliable, low-carbon energy solutions that can strengthen energy security, industrial competitiveness and long-term economic resilience," said Michael Lee-Chin, Founder and Chairman of the Portland Holdings group of companies. "Portland Holdings is pleased to work with Nuclean...in support of that ambition by helping connect Türkiye’s nuclear ecosystem with training pathways, global relationships and visibility into emerging nuclear and enabling technologies."

On the Turkish side, Nuclean operates as a "technology-neutral" platform. Its role is not to develop a single reactor design but to act as an integrator, bringing together the best-suited technology providers, investors, and local industrial partners for future projects.

"Through this collaboration, Turkish industry will have an opportunity to engage with Canada's advanced nuclear ecosystem," noted Koray Tuncer, a Nuclean Board Member. "Together with Portland Holdings, Nuclean will work to turn these capabilities into practical channels of cooperation that advance SMR and advanced nuclear projects in Türkiye."

Alikaan Çiftçi, President of the Nuclear Industry Association of Türkiye, emphasized the synergy of the partnership. "While Portland Holdings Investco Limited will provide access to Canada's advanced nuclear ecosystem and international expertise, Nuclean will contribute its local SMR and advanced nuclear technology platform," he stated. "Together, we aim to establish practical channels for cooperation that support Türkiye's ambition to become a significant force in the development of next-generation nuclear energy."

Building a Sustainable Ecosystem from the Ground Up

Perhaps the most forward-looking aspect of the MOU is its deep focus on the foundational elements of a sustainable nuclear program. Beyond the hardware and financing, the agreement explicitly targets human capital development, training, and the creation of a robust domestic supply chain. Experts agree that a successful nuclear program cannot be perpetually dependent on foreign expertise; it must cultivate its own talent pool of engineers, technicians, regulators, and scientists.

This focus is critical for ensuring the long-term safety, security, and economic viability of Türkiye's nuclear future. By investing in people and local industry, the partnership aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that can support not only the operation of imported technologies but potentially the development of indigenous ones down the line. This aligns with the oversight provided by the Turkish Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NDK), which works to ensure all nuclear activities meet stringent international safety standards set by bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This strategic cultivation of local capacity and international cooperation is what will ultimately determine the success of Türkiye's transformation into a modern nuclear power.