Eight Greenpeace activists climbed a skyscraper in Kızılay Square in central Ankara, one of Turkey’s highest buildings, yesterday to unfurl banners calling on the Turkish government to ‘Quit (Nuclear) in Time´.

On the ground, other activists informed the public that the government is in violation of its own Nuclear Power Plant Tender Law and Regulations by continuing to pursue its tendering process for a new nuclear power station.

Negotiations are continuing after Atomstroyexport’s ludicrous bid back in September. The bid to build the new reactor is currently 13-15 US cents per KWh of electricity generated. And that’s before adding the cost of waste management and decommissioning and considered. In comparison, the cost of wind power averages four to nine US cents per KWh, and solar is between nine to 15 cents, but continues to decrease.

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As Greenpeace Mediterranean Energy Campaigner Korol Diker says, ‘The adverse effects of the economic crises are increasing, so now is the time to adopt renewable energy sources, as they can cover our energy consumption needs in a quicker and less expensive way, and create better and more plentiful jobs’

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A slideshow of the action can be seen here. Find out more information (in Turkish) at Greenpeace Mediterranean.