The dome, which has a diameter of 34.7 metres and weighs 147.6 tonnes, was lifted into place using a tracked self-propelled crane, with 30 specialists overseeing operations.
When connected to the lower tiers the total weight of the dome is more than 500 tonnes, and the outer containment will have 1.5 metre-thick reinforced concrete walls.
The outer containment is designed to be able to withstand severe earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis.
Sergei Butckikh, Akkuyu Nuclear CEO, said the dome had been mounted in the design position at a height of 57.1-65.4 metres: "The outer containment will ensure the reliability and safety of the reactor building. Its sturdy steel structure is able to withstand extreme external impacts ... the next stage will be concreting the outer containment metal structure with high-strength concrete mortar. This will allow us to start installing the heat removal system equipment."
Akkuyu is Turkey's first nuclear power plant. Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is building the four VVER-1200 reactors under a so-called BOO (build-own-operate) model. According to the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey, the commissioning of the first power unit of the nuclear power plant must take place within seven years from receipt of all permits for the construction of the unit.
The licence for the construction of the first unit was issued in 2018, with construction work beginning that year. Nuclear fuel was delivered to the site in April 2023, with the aim to carry out a physical start-up in 2024.
The 4800 MWe plant is expected to meet about 10% of Turkey's electricity needs, with the aim that all four units will be operational by the end of 2028.
