Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in Istanbul that AtkinsRealis is now a strong contender to provide nuclear reactors for two upcoming power plants in Turkiye. This development follows a new strategic partnership aimed at strengthening energy and defense ties between the two nations.
AtkinsRealis and the Race for Two Turkish Power Plants
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated during a visit to Istanbul that the bid by AtkinsRealis to supply Candu nuclear reactors for two planned power plants in Turkiye now has a high probability of success. According to the report, Carney noted that this prospect appeared remote only a year ago, but has since evolved into a viable opportunity due to the quality of the technology and available financing.
The timeline for this decision is tightly linked to international climate diplomacy. Prime Minister Mark Carney indicated that the Turkish government will likely reach a final decision by the end of the year, potentially coinciing with the COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkiye, from November 9 to 20.
Canada's Goal of Four New Nuclear Markets by 2040
The push to export Candu technology to Turkiye is a central component of a broader nuclear strategy released by the Canadian government in June. As the report says, this national plan explicitly sets a target for Canada to enter at least four new international nuclear markets by the year 2040, while engaging between six to ten new nuclear entrant markets over a 15-year horizon.
This strategy treats nuclear energy not merely as a commercial export, but as a geopolitical tool . Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters that Canada intends to use nuclear energy as a "geopolitical lever" to establish the country as a reliable and primary partner for uranium exports. This approach seeks to cement Canada's role as a partner of choice for nations transitioning their energy grids .
Diplomatic groundwork for this bid has been extensive. In June, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand hosted Turkish officials in Canada, during which time the delegation toured the Darlington nuclear facility in Ontario to evaluate Canadian capabilities firsthand.
The Strategic Partnership Beyond the Candu Reactor
The visit to Istanbul marks the first bilateral trip to Turkiye by Prime Minister Mark Carney, signaling a shift toward deeper cooperation. While the nuclear bid is a primary focus, the broader strategic partnership between Canada and Turkiye encompasses critical cooperation in mining and defense, in addition to energy.
Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized that his role in these discussions is to demonstrate that the Canadian market has become more welcoming to foreign investors and firms. This diplomatic framing suggests that the nuclear tender is part of a reciprocal relationship where energy exports are balanced with increased foreign investment in Canada.
The significance of this diplomatic pivot was highlighted by political commentator Tom Mulcair,who described the visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney as "extraordinarily important" for the future of the bilateral relationship.
Who are the competitors facing the Candu bid?
Despite the optimism expressed by Prime Minister Mark Carney , several critical details remain unverified. While the Prime Minister acknowledged that "there is competition" for the Turkish contract, the report does not name the specific international firms or governments vying for the project. It remains unclear how the Turkish government will weigh the Canadian financing package against competing offers from other nuclear-exporting nations.
Furthermore, the source provides the perspective of the Canadian government and a political commentator, but does not include official comments from the Turkish government regarding their current preference or the specific technical requirements they are prioritizing for the two power plants.
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