The limited construction license allows starting construction and assembly work at all facilities of the nuclear power plant, except for buildings and structures important for the security of the “nuclear island,” Rosatom explained.

The Russian state-owned corporation expects to obtain the main license, which will allow constructing buildings and structures directly at the plant, by mid 2018.

“Obtaining the limited construction license is an important milestone in the implementation of the Akkuyu NPP project. We are moving from the preparatory stage towards construction works, for the bulk of which local contractors will be hired. Our next task is to get the construction license,” said Yuri Galanchuk, CEO of Akkuyu Nuclear.

Russia and Turkey signed the inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in construction and operation of Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, in 2010. The project estimated at $20 billion envisages construction of four power units with VVER-1200 reactors with an aggregate capacity of 4,800 MW.

Akkuyu Nuclear is an SPV that will build and operate the power plant. The company has already received a power generation license for 49 years (till June 15, 2066). Construction is scheduled to start in March 2018.