Building Unshakeable Public Trust: The Strategic Force Behind Türkiye’s Nuclear Future

Türkiye has set one of the boldest energy targets in its history—achieving 20 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2050. Backed by strong legal frameworks, advanced technology partnerships, and significant strategic investment, the country is moving steadily toward this goal. Yet as Türkiye enters this decisive phase, it must recognize a critical truth: nuclear projects succeed not only through engineering excellence and capital investment, but also through public trust and engagement.

In an era where transparency, accountability, and community involvement shape the success of major infrastructure, nuclear energy is no exception. The coming decades will test not just Türkiye’s ability to build reactors, but also its ability to foster confidence among its citizens. Public engagement is not an optional add-on; it is a core strategic driver. Strengthening trust will help Türkiye ensure smoother implementation, minimize delays, and build lasting public support. By doing so, the country has the opportunity to create a model of partnership that reinforces its long-term energy security and decarbonization ambitions.

Türkiye’s Nuclear Roadmap: Progress at Scale

Türkiye is embarking on a transformative nuclear expansion. The strategy includes both large-scale plants and next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs), forming a comprehensive path toward a decarbonized and secure energy system.

At the heart of this roadmap is the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, a landmark 4.8 GW project comprising four VVER-1200 reactors built in collaboration with Russia’s Rosatom. Akkuyu is nearing completion, with Unit 1 expected to be commissioned in 2025, making it Türkiye’s first operational commercial nuclear power unit.

Momentum is building further with a second planned facility at Sinop, also projected at 4.8 GW, where Russia remains a potential partner. Meanwhile, in Thrace, plans for a third plant involving China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) and its CAP1400 reactor technology are advancing. Combined, these three projects are designed to deliver 14 GW of nuclear capacity, establishing the backbone of Türkiye’s nuclear energy mix.

Equally important is Türkiye’s push into Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). By 2050, SMRs are expected to contribute 5 GW to the nuclear portfolio. In March 2025, Ankara unveiled a nationally designed SMR concept and launched a pioneering nuclear technopark to promote domestic innovation. At the same time, Türkiye is building partnerships with international leaders such as Westinghouse (US) and Rolls-Royce (UK), signaling its determination to integrate global expertise while nurturing homegrown capabilities.

These efforts form a robust roadmap. To fully realize their potential, continued focus on building public trust will be essential.

Why Public Trust is Critical

Public trust is not a soft, secondary issue—it is a determining factor in nuclear success. As Brenda Pagannone, a stakeholder engagement expert at the IAEA, emphasizes: “Stakeholder involvement is recognized as a crucial process for the success of any nuclear power programme. Failing to effectively engage with stakeholders such as policymakers, media, community members, and the public in general can have negative consequences.”

The stakes are high. Delays caused by public opposition or mistrust are not abstract risks; they translate into billions in cost overruns, wasted political capital, and unmet energy needs. For communities expecting reliable electricity and economic opportunity, stalled projects mean frustration and disillusionment. For investors and operators, they mean sunk costs and uncertain returns.

Türkiye’s nuclear goals will require not just reactors and regulations, but a deep, transparent, and continuous dialogue with society. Building trust is an investment multiplier—reducing risk, accelerating timelines, and creating a foundation for long-term stability.

Global Best Practices for Building Public Trust

Across the world, nuclear programs that thrive are those that embed transparency and public engagement from the very beginning. Türkiye can draw on these international best practices to strengthen its approach.

Independent Oversight and Transparent Management: Confidence grows when people see that nuclear projects are independently monitored and transparently managed. The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) advocates robust independent oversight systems to ensure objective safety assessments. Similarly, the IAEA emphasizes transparent project development plans, showcasing strong leadership and accountability from the outset. For Türkiye, adopting and communicating such standards will be critical in reassuring stakeholders that safety and governance are not negotiable.

Visitor Centres and Community Interaction: Engagement must be visible, not abstract. Establishing visitor centres at nuclear sites gives communities direct exposure to nuclear science, safety measures, and the socio-economic benefits of projects. As Robert Holy, Head of Nuclear Communication at Slovenské elektrárne, notes, these centers are often the first step toward trust. Alongside this, regular community meetings—where residents can voice concerns and receive honest responses—help build a culture of inclusion.

Stakeholder Mapping and Tailored Communication: Communities are not monolithic. Stakeholder mapping allows operators to identify groups with varying levels of interest and influence, then tailor communication accordingly. For example, local residents may need practical assurances about safety and jobs, while policymakers require macro-level insights on energy security. Newsletters, social media, local radio, and in-person briefings all play roles in crafting messages that are clear, credible, and relevant.

Risk Communication through Social Science: Nuclear fears often stem from emotion and perception as much as fact. Operators and vendors must go beyond technical explanations, adopting social science-based approaches to risk communication. Surveys, behavioral studies, and community dialogue programs can uncover deeper concerns and values. By addressing these directly—and maintaining dialogue throughout the plant lifecycle—operators can foster lasting trust.

Embedding Public Engagement into R&D: Public trust must not be limited to communication; it should be integrated into the innovation process itself. Socio-technical approaches invite public perspectives into nuclear research and development, ensuring that community values and concerns shape innovation from the start. Türkiye’s planned nuclear technopark could serve as a hub where engineering, physical sciences, and social sciences converge to build solutions that are technically sound and socially legitimate.

The IAEA’s Five Principles of Engagement: The IAEA’s framework provides a tested guide: build trust, ensure accountability, promote transparency, engage in early and continuous dialogue, and communicate both benefits and risks clearly. For Türkiye, embedding these principles across all levels of nuclear development will align projects with international standards and reassure domestic stakeholders.

Consent-Based Siting and Community Partnerships: Perhaps the most sensitive issue is siting. When new facilities are planned in rural or ecologically sensitive regions, consent-based siting becomes essential. This approach involves transparent site selection, fair compensation, funding for independent technical studies, and genuine partnerships with communities. While more resource-intensive, this method dramatically increases the likelihood of smooth, sustainable project delivery.

Türkiye’s Unique Opportunity

Türkiye is at a unique juncture. As a newcomer to commercial nuclear energy, it does not carry decades of entrenched skepticism seen in some older markets. Instead, it has the opportunity to design trust-building into its program from the ground up.

The simultaneous pursuit of large-scale reactors and SMRs gives Türkiye flexibility to showcase different models of engagement. Akkuyu, Sinop, and Thrace can serve as flagship projects for transparent communication with national and international stakeholders, while SMRs—smaller and often closer to communities—offer a chance to pioneer innovative, community-centric engagement strategies.

Moreover, Türkiye’s position as a bridge between Europe and Asia allows it to model best practices for nuclear newcomers across the region. By blending advanced technology with open communication, Türkiye could become not just a nuclear power producer but a benchmark for integrating public trust into energy transitions.

Moving Ahead: Trust as Türkiye’s Nuclear Investment Multiplier

Türkiye’s nuclear journey is not only about megawatts and megaprojects—it is about people. Achieving 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050 will require not just concrete, steel, and international partnerships, but the active confidence of Turkish society.

Public engagement, transparency, and trust-building are not “soft” elements of policy—they are hard determinants of success. Each reactor completed with public support adds credibility to the next; each delay caused by mistrust raises costs and risks. For investors, policymakers, and operators alike, the message is clear: trust is an asset as critical as fuel, finance, or technology.

By embedding engagement into every stage—planning, construction, operation, and decommissioning—Türkiye can deliver not only clean, secure energy but also social legitimacy. In doing so, it will show the world that building public trust is not just good practice—it is the cornerstone of sustainable nuclear growth.