Rosatom considers lawsuit against Siemens amid Akkuyu delays
Rosatom threatens to sue Siemens Energy over delays in delivering equipment to the Akkuyu power plant in Turkey. Siemens Energy was waiting for an export licence, causing the delay in order fulfilment. Rosatom is now considering seeking compensation for additional costs.
The Russian corporation Rosatom plans to sue Siemens Energy for delays in the delivery of equipment to the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey. According to "Deutsche Welle," Rosatom accuses the German company of not delivering the ordered equipment, which has impacted the construction schedule. Siemens Energy explains that the delays resulted from a prolonged wait for an export licence from the German BAFA office.
Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear power plant project is the largest Russian-Turkish investment, fully financed by Russia. The power plant is expected to meet 10% of Turkey's electricity demand; however, construction is hindered by sanctions and financing issues, as noted by "Deutsche Welle." Recently, Rosatom's funds allocated for the project were seized, further disrupting the construction timeline.
Agreement before the invasion
Siemens Energy, formerly part of Siemens, now operates independently. The firm was supposed to deliver the gas-insulated switchgear necessary to connect the power plant to the electrical grid. An agreement with the Russian firm Elektroautomatyka was signed in 2020, prior to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Siemens Energy assures that all required permits have already been issued.
Despite Siemens Energy obtaining the licence, Rosatom is considering a lawsuit for compensation related to additional costs incurred from purchasing replacements and delays.
The Turkish Minister of Energy confirmed that Rosatom placed an alternative order in China. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister informed that some of the replacement equipment has already been delivered to Akkuyu.
