Egypt moves forward with its nuclear journey

In a historic virtual ceremony attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel al-Sisi, Egypt marked a momentous milestone in its quest for a nuclear-powered future. The ceremony celebrated the commencement of construction for the fourth and final reactor at the El Dabaa nuclear power plant (NPP), a groundbreaking initiative valued at $25 billion.

The event saw both leaders symbolically authorizing the pouring of the "first concrete" into the foundation of unit 4, signifying the official start of this pivotal phase in Egypt's nuclear journey.

Simultaneous Progress for Four Units The El Dabaa NPP project stands as a testament to collaborative international efforts, with all four units under construction concurrently. Each reactor unit's initiation has been carefully spaced, with intervals of approximately six months.

Egypt's Energy Aspirations Egypt has set ambitious targets to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on traditional fossil fuels. With a goal of sourcing 9% of its electricity from nuclear power by 2030, the completion of the first two reactors is expected to be a significant step toward achieving this objective.

Rosatom's Vision Alexey Likhachev, the director-general of Russia's renowned nuclear engineering firm, Rosatom, hailed the foundation pouring ceremony as a "landmark event in the history of Egypt's nuclear energy and Russian-Egyptian relations." He went on to emphasize that the El Dabaa NPP, the first of its kind in Africa in four decades, ranks as "the largest bilateral cooperation project since the construction of the Aswan Dam" and is among the "two largest nuclear construction projects globally."

Location and Specifications Situated along the picturesque Mediterranean coast, approximately 320 kilometers northwest of Cairo, the El Dabaa NPP will feature four cutting-edge generation-III-plus VVER-1200 units. This state-of-the-art facility promises to redefine Egypt's energy landscape.

The Binding Contract The journey towards this transformative project was solidified by a contract signed in December 2017. The agreement entrusted Rosatom with the responsibility of constructing the plant, supplying fuel throughout its operational lifespan, and offering essential training to engineers and technicians for the first decade of the plant's operation. Moreover, Rosatom is committed to building a specialized storage facility for used nuclear fuel, underscoring its commitment to ensuring the project's sustainability and safety.

As construction progresses at the El Dabaa NPP, Egypt is one step closer to realizing its nuclear-powered future, fostering energy independence, and contributing to a more sustainable and diversified energy portfolio. The partnership between Egypt and Russia exemplifies the potential for international collaboration in advancing the global nuclear energy landscape.