Chinese, US, Japanese companies show interest in Turkey's 3rd nuclear power plant: Minister

Turkish Energy Minister Ali R?za Alaboyun said plans have been made for Turkey?s third nuclear plant and Chinese, Japanese firms and U.S. companies have shown interest in an exclusive interview with the Anadolu Agency Editors? Desk on Oct. 14. 

?A third nuclear power plant is planned to be built in the northern area of ??neada [K?rklareli province]. We have been in talks with several companies. Chinese companies and U.S.-based Westinghouse have shown interest so far. We signed a memorandum of understanding. Japanese companies are also interested in the project,? he said. 

The region in K?rklareli where the plant is planned to be built is famous for its floodplain forests. 

Turkey?s first power plant project was undertaken by Russia?s Rosatom in the southern province of Akkuyu and Turkey?s second planned nuclear plant, to be constructed in the northern province of Sinop, was awarded to a Japanese-French consortium in May 2013. 

Alaboyun also said Turkey has no energy issues with Russia amid rows over Syria. 

?No problem with Russia?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an said Turkey is a big consumer of Russia?s natural gas late on Oct. 6, speaking to journalists en route from Brussels to Tokyo.

?Losing Turkey would be a serious loss for Russia. If needed, Turkey can supply its natural gas from very different places,? he added.

Alaboyun said Erdo?an?s remarks were a response to questions regarding Syria. 

?His [Erdo?an?s] answers about finding sources for natural gas and building the nuclear plant were interpreted as if we had problems with Russia. We have no issues with Moscow about energy. This should be known,? Alaboyun said during the interview. 

?Russian gas imports...