Turkey and Canada Strengthen Energy Ties with Focus on Nuclear and LNG

This update was written automatically with AI from market data and news wire reports, and published without review by a person.

Key Takeaways

  • Turkey and Canada are evaluating the deployment of CANDU nuclear reactor technology to expand Turkey's nuclear capacity, specifically targeting a planned plant on the Black Sea coast.
  • Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Canadian Energy Minister Tim Hodgson met to discuss a broad energy agenda including LNG trade, renewable energy investments, and mining.
  • Prime Minister Mark Carney is conducting a historic three-day bilateral visit to Turkey, the first of its kind, to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and diversify trade away from the United States.
  • Bilateral trade between the two nations has surged nearly 50% over the last five years, reaching approximately C$4.34 billion ($3.15 billion) as they move toward a potential free-trade agreement.

Turkey and Canada have entered a new phase of strategic cooperation following high-level discussions in Ankara and Toronto. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that a primary focus of the talks is the feasibility of using Canada’s CANDU nuclear reactor technology, owned by AtkinsRéalis (ATRL), for Turkey’s second or third nuclear power plants. This move comes as Turkey seeks to diversify its energy providers beyond Russia, which is currently constructing the country's first nuclear plant at Akkuyu.

The energy dialogue extends beyond nuclear power to include liquefied natural gas (LNG) and critical minerals. Minister Bayraktar noted that Turkey is "desperate for energy" and views Canada as a reliable NATO partner for securing long-term LNG supplies and mining investments. A joint working group is expected to be established to formalize these efforts, particularly regarding the extraction of minerals essential for the global energy transition.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 22, 2026, marks a significant diplomatic pivot for Ottawa. Amid trade tensions with the United States, Canada is aggressively seeking to strengthen ties with G20 partners. The two leaders are expected to sign a joint declaration deepening cooperation in defense, energy, and trade, while also advancing negotiations for a comprehensive free-trade agreement.

Market analysts suggest that the partnership offers substantial opportunities for Canadian engineering and mining firms. AtkinsRéalis (ATRL) stands to benefit from potential reactor orders, while Canadian mining companies are eyeing Turkey’s untapped mineral wealth. The shift toward Western energy technology is seen as a strategic move by Ankara to balance its geopolitical dependencies while meeting a 20,000 MW nuclear capacity goal by 2050.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We are not financial professionals. The authors and/or site operators may hold positions in the companies or assets mentioned. Always do your own research before making financial decisions.
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