A ministerial assessment of a tender to build Turkey's first nuclear power plant is in the final stages and the cabinet should make a decision after March 29 local elections, Energy Minister Hilmi Guler said on Tuesday.
Turkish Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler met with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Shmatko at Sheraton Hotel in capital Ankara, reported World bulletin.
Russia's Atomstroiexport and its partners submitted the sole bid to construct Turkey's first nuclear power plant, and the country plans to sell two more nuclear licences.
Turkey plans to meet growing energy needs, for its lack of competition in constructing the estimated $7.5 billion plant.
Noting that the government had recently intensified its talks on energy diplomacy, Guler said he met with his Iranian and Russian counterparts over the last couple of days within such framework.
Guler said natural gas, oil, renewable energy and energy productivity were the main issues discussed during his recent talks.
Upon a question on the ongoing talks between Turkey and Russia on energy issue, Guler said both countries had a strong political will for the improvement of bilateral relations.
Guler said Turkey continued to have talks with Russia, taking into consideration the supply security regarding its future natural gas needs.
Commenting on the latest situation in Nabucco Project, Guler said, "Our aim is to complete this project. No matter where the resources are, the necessary requirements should be fulfilled if such project is a need. I believe we will complete the project either with our own resources or by the help of others".
Under Turkish law, the Energy Ministry and state power company Tetas have to prepare an assessement into tenders. The cabinet has the final decision.
The consortium of Russian companies Atomstroiexport and Inter Rao and Turkey's Park Teknik revised its bid after initially offering to sell power from the planned nuclear power station at three times the current rate.
Russia already provides more than 60 percent of Turkey's gas imports.
Cancellation of the tender would put Turkey at risk of possibly being unable to meet long-term energy needs. Turkey already experiences nearly chronic shortfalls in energy supplies from its main importers Russia and Iran.
Licences for three nuclear power plants are expected to cover about 5 percent of Turkey's power needs.