Can Nuclear Help Solve Türkiye’s Water Crisis?
In recent decades, Türkiye has entered a perilous path of environmental degradation, with its freshwater resources facing severe decline. Once rich in lakes, rivers, and fertile lands, the country is now witnessing the rapid disappearance of water bodies, depletion of groundwater, irregular rainfall, and growing urban water shortages. The loss of 186 lakes over the past 60 years is more than an ecological concern—it signals a looming national crisis with far-reaching economic, public health, and geopolitical implications.
Given the scale of the challenge, traditional water management approaches are no longer sufficient. Türkiye must now prioritize advanced technological solutions that ensure resilience, scalability, and multi-functional value. In this context, nuclear energy—particularly through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)—emerges as a critical enabler. By integrating SMR technology with seawater desalination, Türkiye can simultaneously address water scarcity and energy needs. As the country advances its nuclear expansion, aligning water security with energy security must become a strategic imperative at the core of national planning.
A Deepening Water Crisis in Türkiye
The indicators are clear. Environmental experts affirm that almost no lake in Türkiye currently remains in a healthy ecological state. The reasons for this widespread degradation are numerous: unsustainable groundwater extraction, unregulated diversion of water for agriculture, unplanned urban development, poorly managed dams, increasing pollution, and the widespread disappearance of wetlands. Although climate change has magnified the severity of the crisis, researchers caution that the principal cause is the human-driven degradation of both surface and subterranean water systems—further exacerbating regional climatic instability.
Major urban areas such as Istanbul have already encountered critical water shortages. In January 2021, headlines reported that the city—with a population exceeding 15 million—had just 45 days of water left in its reservoirs. These instances are no longer isolated; they have become recurring. In October 2024, Istanbul’s reservoir levels fell to 37.4% of their capacity, prompting renewed concern. Concurrently, projections from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry warn that by 2030, Türkiye could face severe nationwide water scarcity, with significant portions of the population likely to be directly affected.
Given these circumstances, the development of alternative, large-scale freshwater sources is no longer discretionary—it has become an urgent national necessity.
Türkiye’s Nuclear Energy Goals: More Than Just Electricity
Parallel to its water challenges, Türkiye is pursuing a comprehensive nuclear energy strategy aimed at transforming its energy landscape. The government has outlined an ambitious target of achieving 20 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2050. This expansion is driven by multiple objectives: reducing the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, ensuring long-term energy security, and contributing to national climate commitments through low-carbon energy generation.
The cornerstone of this effort is the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, a 4.8 GW facility currently under construction, which is expected to become fully operational by 2028. However, the government's nuclear vision extends well beyond Akkuyu. Plans are underway for another 4.8 GW plant in Sinop and a 5.6 GW facility in the Thrace region. In addition, feasibility studies are ongoing for a potential fourth site, suggesting that the scope of Türkiye’s nuclear ambitions is both broad and dynamic.
Importantly, this vision includes a strong emphasis on next-generation technologies. The government has committed to deploying 5 GW of Small Modular Reactors by 2050. These compact and advanced reactors are expected to play a central role in shaping Türkiye’s nuclear future, not only by supporting electricity generation but also by enabling strategic applications such as industrial heating, hydrogen production, and desalination.
The Power of SMRs for Desalination
While conventional nuclear power plants are primarily designed for large-scale electricity production, SMRs introduce a level of versatility that is particularly valuable in addressing Türkiye’s water challenges. These reactors are smaller in size, easier to deploy, and capable of operating in isolated or coastal regions where grid connectivity and infrastructure may be limited. One of their most significant advantages lies in their ability to support cogeneration—the simultaneous production of electricity and heat.
This dual capability positions SMRs as ideal candidates for driving desalination systems. Processes such as multi-effect distillation (MED) and reverse osmosis (RO) require substantial energy inputs to separate salt and other impurities from seawater. Nuclear-powered desalination, using heat or electricity from SMRs, provides a clean, scalable, and economically viable pathway to meet this energy demand without exacerbating carbon emissions or fossil fuel dependency.
Türkiye’s geographical features make this solution particularly attractive. The country has extensive coastlines along both the Mediterranean and Black Seas, providing abundant access to seawater. In addition, the presence of developed port infrastructure, existing transmission lines, and proximity to water-stressed inland areas creates a conducive environment for establishing SMR-powered desalination hubs. These facilities could deliver significant volumes of fresh water daily to urban centers, industrial zones, and agricultural regions, mitigating the risks posed by inland water depletion.
Strategic Conversations Already Underway
Türkiye is not entering this space without preparation. The government and relevant institutions are already engaged in dialogues with prominent international SMR developers. Among these are companies such as Westinghouse Electric from the United States and Rolls-Royce SMR from the United Kingdom. Discussions are also taking place with other major technology providers across Asia and Europe.
At present, the focus of these conversations is largely centered around energy generation. However, there is a growing need to broaden the scope to include desalination as a core strategic application. By partnering with these technology leaders to co-develop integrated nuclear-desalination systems, Türkiye can establish itself as a regional pioneer in dual-purpose nuclear infrastructure. This approach not only serves immediate needs but also enhances the country’s technological capabilities and international partnerships.
Through such initiatives, Türkiye can simultaneously build capacity for energy self-sufficiency and water resilience—both of which are essential for national security and sustainable development in the coming decades.
Harnessing SMRs for Water Security and Public Trust
The true value of Türkiye’s SMR deployment lies in its capacity to serve multiple national priorities simultaneously. This initiative is not merely about adding another source of electricity to the national grid. Rather, it is about designing climate-resilient infrastructure that directly addresses interlinked environmental and societal challenges.
By integrating SMRs with desalination systems, Türkiye can significantly reduce the ecological stress on its existing freshwater ecosystems—its lakes, rivers, and aquifers. This approach also provides a more stable and reliable supply of water for urban populations and agricultural producers, even under changing climate conditions. Moreover, it supports public health objectives by decreasing dependence on polluted or insufficient water sources, thereby improving sanitation and disease prevention.
Modular and scalable SMR-based desalination systems present a unique opportunity for Türkiye to build public trust in nuclear technology. By directly addressing a critical national need—access to clean water—these systems can demonstrate the tangible, everyday benefits of nuclear solutions. Their visible and practical impact offers a powerful tool for public engagement, helping shift perceptions and foster greater societal acceptance. At a time when public confidence is essential for the successful adoption of nuclear energy, this represents a golden opportunity for Türkiye to align technological progress with public interest.
Moving Forward
As the global landscape grows increasingly defined by resource scarcity, Türkiye stands at a rare intersection of urgent need, strategic opportunity, and growing capability. With a robust foundation in nuclear development and an escalating water crisis, the nation is uniquely positioned to adopt an integrated approach to energy and water security.
SMRs must be viewed not merely as sources of electricity, but as critical infrastructure with the potential to deliver clean, dependable freshwater when strategically linked with desalination systems. Every unit of nuclear capacity built could serve this dual purpose—if incorporated into national planning with foresight and precision. Türkiye now faces a pivotal moment in which it must fully embrace this synergy and act decisively.
The upcoming Türkiye Nuclear Business Platform (TNBP) 2025, scheduled for October 8–10 in Mersin, will play a central role in shaping this future. As a leading forum for policymakers, industry leaders, and investors, the event offers a crucial platform for advancing dialogue around Türkiye’s SMR ambitions and their role in water security. The urgency is undeniable, the solutions are attainable, and the momentum is building. Türkiye must move forward—not only to power its future, but to safeguard its water lifeline for generations to come.
