The Akkuyu Nuclear company will build the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in the province of Mersin in southern Turkey. It will become fully operational in 2023, coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey.

The company will complete its preparation process before EMRA considers issuing a production license. During the preparation process, the company is required to obtain official construction and environment impact permits.

"If the Akkuyu Nuclear Joint Stock Company fulfills its obligation, it will get the production license," Mustafa Yilmaz, the head of EMRA, said in the authority's press release.

The construction of the Akkuyu NPP will begin in 2016 and Russia's state-owned nuclear company, Rosatom, will have operating rights on the $22 billion plant, which will have a life cycle of 60 years.