Ankara  - A government tender seeking builders for Turkey's first-ever nuclear power plant received just one bid, from the Russian firm Atomstroyexport, the Anadolu news agency reported Wednesday.

Thirteen companies had asked for bidding documents, but in the end just Atomstroyexport made an official bid to build the power plant in the Akkuyu district of Mersin in southern Turkey.

Environmental groups have said that the project is a danger to the environment, especially as Turkey is prone to earthquakes.

The government has dismissed the criticism saying that Turkey must meet its energy needs. (dpa)