Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2022 shows the Akkuyu nuclear power plant constructed by Russia's state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom in south Türkiye's Mersin Province. (Xinhua photo)

ANKARA, July 13  -- Türkiye is seeking foreign investment and assistance for the construction of its second and third nuclear power plant amid efforts to wean itself from costly energy imports, officials said.

Since the re-election of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a third term in late May, several high-ranking officials have made statements about Ankara's efforts toward energy independence.

Türkiye is in contact with Russia and the Republic of Korea for its planned second plant and China for a third one, Salih Sari, the head of nuclear infrastructure at the energy ministry, told a local nuclear industry conference in late June in Istanbul, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

The country plans to build a second nuclear power plant in the northern province of Sinop and a third one in the northwestern province of Kirklareli, according to Sari.