Salih SARI

Board Member

Salih Sarı graduated from Hacettepe University’s Nuclear Energy Engineering Department with a bachelor’s degree in 2006 and a master’s degree in 2008. He is currently pursuing his PhD in the same department, focusing on the optimization of the recycling of spent nuclear fuel.

He began his academic career at Hacettepe University as a project researcher, followed by a research assistant position at TOBB University of Economics and Technology. He has published numerous international papers on computational fluid dynamics and thermal-hydraulic analysis of two-phase flows related to nuclear reactor and fuel technologies. He has also attended international certificate programs on nuclear power plant project financing, financial modeling, power purchase agreements, contract structures, and nuclear energy management.

In 2008, he worked in the private sector as an R&D specialist in hydroelectric power plant turbine design. In 2009, he transitioned to public service as a nuclear engineer responsible for licensing nuclear facilities at the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK).

With the start of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant project in 2010, he has served in various roles at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, including engineer, assistant expert, expert, department head, and acting general manager. He chaired the Localization Committee of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.

He has represented Türkiye as a speaker at numerous events organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He actively participates as a lecturer on topics such as fuel cycle management, nuclear industry development, human resource planning, small modular reactors, and project financing for newcomer countries in nuclear power. Additionally, he represents Türkiye as a member of the technical committees of the IAEA.

His responsibilities at the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources include:

Preparing and monitoring Türkiye’s nuclear energy policies and strategies,

Conducting technical and commercial feasibility studies for nuclear power plant projects, negotiating agreements, and drafting contract texts,

Coordinating between public institutions, private sector, and academia in the implementation of nuclear power plant and related facility projects,

Developing technology selection, business models, and legal infrastructure for small modular reactor projects,

Coordinating activities aimed at developing and strengthening Türkiye’s nuclear infrastructure and ecosystem, including nuclear industry and human resources,

Developing legal frameworks for radioactive waste management and decommissioning special accounts, and providing secretariat services to the Accounts Management Board,

Promoting international cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and increasing public awareness and information dissemination.

On June 16, 2025, by ministerial approval No. 334279, he was appointed as Deputy General Manager of Nuclear Energy and International Projects.

He is married and has one son.