Turkey's energy minister said on Monday that the government was resolved on the nuclear energy power plant.

In an exclusive interview with the A.A. correspondent in southern province of Hatay, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources Taner Yildiz said Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which would be constructed in Akkuyu region of the southern province of Mersin was one of the most important projects of Turkey.

Yildiz came to Hatay to attend several inauguration ceremonies.

"Akkuyu will be the first nuclear power plant of Turkey. Residents of the region support us. We respect the ideas of everybody but manipulations on nuclear energy power plants are not right," he said.

"It is already delayed. Construction of the nuclear power plant will start soon within the scope of an agreement signed by the governments of Turkey and Russia," he noted, and added that, "Turkey actually does not have any energy deficit or shortage. Furthermore, it has a 20-21 percent surplus in energy supply. Dependence on foreign sources is around 72-73 percent. Our efforts aim at reducing this rate."

Referring to Turkey's renewable energy sources, Yildiz said bill on "Renewable Energy" would be submitted to the Parliament this week, "we hope the bill would be enacted before the parliament recesses on July 16. This law encourages electricity generation from sources like water, wind, sun, and geothermal."

Plans are underway to construct Turkey's first nuclear energy power plant in Buyukeceli region of Gulnar town of southern province of Mersin. The nuclear energy power plant is expected to meet 14 percent of the energy Turkey currently produces.
AA