Ankara’s energy plans include the construction of a Russian-type nuclear plant in the Turkish-occupied northern part of Cyprus, according to English-speaking Turkish daily “Hurriyet Daily News”, citing a board member of the country’s chamber of mechanical engineers.

In an article dated July 20, it is underlined that the general plan provides for the construction of a nuclear plant in occupied northern Cyprus or laying underwater cables from Turkey.

The newspaper published statements by Haluk Direskeneli, a board member of the Chamber of Mechanical Engineers and head of its energy committee, who said that “Russia’s barge-mounted nuclear power plant might be built in northern Cyprus,” adding that such a facility would generate electricity “not only for the Turkish part (of the divided island), but also the Greek part.”

He also said that “the idea of a nuclear power plant in northern Cyprus was brought up at a seminar in the British Council’s Ankara office on January 16, 2007, attended mainly by academics.” The newspaper writes that the nuclear plant plan was confirmed by the Turkish Cypriot sources as well.

A few days ago, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz had referred to “a plan” on which Ankara was working for the past two or three years focusing on the transfer of power across the sea to Cyprus.

Source: Athens News