Latest news with #Russia-built
Chicago Tribune
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Putin says Russia has shared peace proposals with Israel and Iran
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — President Vladimir Putin said Friday he has secured Israel's pledge to safeguard Russian personnel at Iran's Russia-built nuclear power plant and that he has reached out to both sides to try to end the week-old war. Answering questions on a variety of issues at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin also warned Ukraine that it could lose more territory if it keeps rejecting Russia's conditions for peace. Putin said Russia has proposed 'some ideas' for a possible settlement between Iran and Israel that are currently being discussed. He said Moscow asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ensure the security of Russian personnel who are working to construct two more reactors at the nuclear power plant in Iran's port of Bushehr and that he also raised the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump. 'Prime Minister Netanyahu has agreed with that, and President Trump has promised to support our legitimate demands,' Putin said. But he strongly rejected allegations that Moscow has failed to back its ally, Tehran, saying the Kremlin has maintained good ties with both Iran and Israel. He noted that Israel is home to nearly 2 million people from Russia and other former Soviet nations, 'a factor that we always have taken into account.' At the same time, Putin said, Russia has always met its obligations to Iran, adding that Moscow has firmly backed Tehran's right for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. He voiced concern about the spiraling conflict, saying we 'are strongly worried about what's going on around the Iranian nuclear facilities and possible consequences.' Asked about Moscow's goals in Ukraine, Putin said the Russian military is moving to extend a buffer zone in Ukraine's Sumy region following a Ukrainian incursion last year into Russia's neighboring Kursk region. 'We have to create a security zone along the border,' Putin said, adding that the Russian troops have forged about 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) deep into the Sumy region and are approaching its capital of the same name, a city of about 270,000 people. 'They are creating a threat to us, constantly shelling the areas along the border,' he added. 'We don't have a goal to capture Sumy, but I don't exclude it in principle.' Putin reaffirmed his long-held claim that Russians and Ukrainians are 'one people,' declaring that in 'that sense, all of Ukraine is ours.' But he also said Russia is ready to recognize Ukrainian sovereignty while emphasizing that Kyiv must accept the 'realities' of Moscow's territorial gains and abandon its bid to join NATO as part of possible deal. 'We aren't seeking Ukraine's surrender, we want them to recognize the realities on the ground,' he said, adding that Moscow has repeatedly warned Ukraine that it would better make a deal. 'The logic of military action could only exacerbate your situation, and you will have to conduct talks from different positions that will be worse for you,' Putin said, addressing Ukraine. 'There is an old rule: Wherever a Russian soldier puts his foot, that belongs to us.' Asked by the session's moderator whether he is concerned by allegations that Ukrainian authorities could order the use of a 'dirty bomb' of radioactive material against Russia, Putin said such an action would be 'their last mistake' that would trigger a 'mirror' response from Russia in line with its nuclear doctrine. 'Our response would be very tough and, most likely, catastrophic' for both the government and the country, he said. 'I hope it will never come to that.' Putin added that while Russia doesn't have information that Ukraine could mount such an attack, 'we assume that some people may develop such ideas in their sick imagination.' Putin hailed Russia's economic outlook, saying it has managed to curb inflation and ease its reliance on energy exports. His optimistic account contrasted with somber statements by some members of his government who warned at the same conference that Russia could face a recession. Economic Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said Thursday the country is 'on the brink of going into a recession.' Putin mentioned the recession warnings, but emphasized that 'it mustn't be allowed.' He pointed out that manufacturing industries have posted steady growth, allowing the country to reduce its reliance on oil and gas exports. 'The perception of Russian economy as based on raw materials and dependent on hydrocarbons exports have clearly become outdated,' Putin said, adding that the economy grew by 1.5% in the first four months of 2025 and inflation has dropped from double digits to 9.6%. Putin has used the annual forum to highlight Russia's economic prowess and encourage foreign investment, but Western executives have shunned it after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, leaving it to business leaders from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The economy, hit with a slew of Western sanctions, has so far outperformed predictions. High defense spending has propelled growth and kept unemployment low despite fueling inflation. Large recruiting bonuses for military enlistees and death benefits for those killed in Ukraine also have put more income into the country's poorer regions. But over the long term, inflation and a lack of foreign investments pose threats to the economy. Economists have warned of mounting pressure on the economy and the likelihood it would stagnate due to lack of investment in sectors other than the military.
Toronto Star
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Putin says Russia has shared peace proposals with Israel and Iran
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — President Vladimir Putin said Friday he has secured Israel's pledge to keep Russian personnel at Iran's Russia-built nuclear power plant secure and that he has reached out to both sides to try to end the week-old war. Answering questions on a variety of issues at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin also warned Ukraine that it could lose more territory if it keeps rejecting Russia's conditions for peace.
Zawya
12-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Turkey's clean power plans hinge on the dawn of its nuclear age: Maguire
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a market analyst for Reuters) LITTLETON, Colorado - Europe's top polluter from coal-fired power production has one of the world's largest nuclear power development pipelines that could help it boost power output and limit future emissions. Turkey has 4,800 megawatts (MW) of nuclear generation capacity in development, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM), which is the third largest nuclear pipeline globally. The country currently has no operating nuclear power plants. The first unit of the new Akkuyu plant is due to start production this year, and once fully operational is expected to generate around 10% of Turkey's electricity. However, the Russia-built facility on the south coast, which commenced site construction in 2013, has been beset by numerous delays and cost overruns that raise questions about the likelihood of a timely start-up of its planned four stages. And given that Turkey is already one of the world's largest coal consumers, any delays in nuclear operations will trigger a potential acceleration in coal-fired power output in the country, which is undergoing a steep climb in power demand. NUCLEAR PHASES & SANCTIONS The first unit of the Akkuyu facility, built by Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, is due online this year, with a nameplate capacity of around 1,200 MW. Equipment start-up and testing of the pressurized water reactor's pumping station and cooling systems began earlier this month, and the site passed an independent safety inspection in January, according to Akkuyu's website. The three remaining 1,200 MW units are due to be added one per year in 2026, 2027 and 2028, at a total estimated cost of around $20 billion. Given the advanced state of general construction at the site, the completion of the remaining reactors on the scheduled pace is feasible. However, due to the strict sanctions on several Russian entities following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rosatom has reported difficulties in acquiring certain parts from suppliers. Further delays and sourcing difficulties could emerge going forward following the imposition of new sanctions targeting Russia by the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. COAL CRUTCH While the finishing touches to Turkey's first nuclear plant are made, the country's power firms continue to crank output from the country's fleet of coal-fired plants, which supplied around 35% of Turkey's electricity last year. Its coal plants generated a record 121 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, according to energy think tank Ember, and discharged a record 114 million tons of carbon dioxide, which was the most in Europe from coal-fired generation. To feed the country's roughly 55 coal plants, around 26.5 million metric tons of thermal coal was imported by Turkey in 2024, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler, which was the eighth largest national import total globally. Hydropower plants generated the second largest amount of electricity in Turkey last year, around 75 TWh, while gas plants generated around 63 TWh. However, volatility in precipitation levels and gas prices has served to stifle the growth in hydro and gas-fired generation in recent years, and has forced Turkey's power firms to remain reliant on coal for the lion's share of power output. CAPACITY CLUSTER Judging by Turkey's power capacity pipeline, the country's firms have no 'Plan B' in place in case of major delays to the Akkuyu plant start-up. There is no additional coal-fired capacity currently under construction, and only 890 MW of new gas-fired capacity is in the works, according to energy data organisation GEM. In terms of non-nuclear clean capacity, some 250 MW of solar, 160 MW of hydro power and around 20 MW of geothermal capacity is also under construction. Upon completion, the new capacity additions will boost clean energy's share of Turkey's capacity mix to 49.5%, from 47% currently, and reduce the fossil fuel share to 50.5% from 53%. However, the sum total of all non-nuclear capacity currently being built in Turkey is less than 30% of the planned capacity growth in nuclear. That paucity of alternative capacity development speaks to the country's confidence in getting the nuclear plants up and running quite soon. But the limited scope for boosting power production without the new nuclear fleet also means that Turkey's power firms will remain beholden to the current swath of fossil fuel plants until the country finally does begin its nuclear age. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a market analyst for Reuters (Reporting By Gavin Maguire; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Reuters
12-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Turkey's clean power plans hinge on the dawn of its nuclear age: Maguire
LITTLETON, Colorado, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Europe's top polluter from coal-fired power production has one of the world's largest nuclear power development pipelines that could help it boost power output and limit future emissions. Turkey has 4,800 megawatts (MW) of nuclear generation capacity in development, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM), which is the third largest nuclear pipeline globally. The country currently has no operating nuclear power plants. The first unit of the new Akkuyu plant is due to start production this year, and once fully operational is expected to generate around 10% of Turkey's electricity. However, the Russia-built facility on the south coast, which commenced site construction in 2013, has been beset by numerous delays and cost overruns that raise questions about the likelihood of a timely start-up of its planned four stages. And given that Turkey is already one of the world's largest coal consumers, any delays in nuclear operations will trigger a potential acceleration in coal-fired power output in the country, which is undergoing a steep climb in power demand. NUCLEAR PHASES & SANCTIONS The first unit of the Akkuyu facility, built by Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, is due online this year, with a nameplate capacity of around 1,200 MW. Equipment start-up and testing of the pressurized water reactor's pumping station and cooling systems began earlier this month, and the site passed an independent safety inspection in January, according to Akkuyu's website. The three remaining 1,200 MW units are due to be added one per year in 2026, 2027 and 2028, at a total estimated cost of around $20 billion. Given the advanced state of general construction at the site, the completion of the remaining reactors on the scheduled pace is feasible. However, due to the strict sanctions on several Russian entities following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Rosatom has reported difficulties in acquiring certain parts from suppliers. Further delays and sourcing difficulties could emerge going forward following the imposition of new sanctions targeting Russia by the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. COAL CRUTCH While the finishing touches to Turkey's first nuclear plant are made, the country's power firms continue to crank output from the country's fleet of coal-fired plants, which supplied around 35% of Turkey's electricity last year. Its coal plants generated a record 121 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, according to energy think tank Ember, and discharged a record 114 million tons of carbon dioxide, which was the most in Europe from coal-fired generation. To feed the country's roughly 55 coal plants, around 26.5 million metric tons of thermal coal was imported by Turkey in 2024, according to ship-tracking firm Kpler, which was the eighth largest national import total globally. Hydropower plants generated the second largest amount of electricity in Turkey last year, around 75 TWh, while gas plants generated around 63 TWh. However, volatility in precipitation levels and gas prices has served to stifle the growth in hydro and gas-fired generation in recent years, and has forced Turkey's power firms to remain reliant on coal for the lion's share of power output. CAPACITY CLUSTER Judging by Turkey's power capacity pipeline, the country's firms have no 'Plan B' in place in case of major delays to the Akkuyu plant start-up. There is no additional coal-fired capacity currently under construction, and only 890 MW of new gas-fired capacity is in the works, according to energy data organisation GEM. In terms of non-nuclear clean capacity, some 250 MW of solar, 160 MW of hydro power and around 20 MW of geothermal capacity is also under construction. Upon completion, the new capacity additions will boost clean energy's share of Turkey's capacity mix to 49.5%, from 47% currently, and reduce the fossil fuel share to 50.5% from 53%. However, the sum total of all non-nuclear capacity currently being built in Turkey is less than 30% of the planned capacity growth in nuclear. That paucity of alternative capacity development speaks to the country's confidence in getting the nuclear plants up and running quite soon. But the limited scope for boosting power production without the new nuclear fleet also means that Turkey's power firms will remain beholden to the current swath of fossil fuel plants until the country finally does begin its nuclear age. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a market analyst for Reuters The Reuters Power Up newsletter provides everything you need to know about the global energy industry. Sign up here.
