Egypt Moves Ahead with Dabaa Nuclear Project

November 06, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Key Figures & Findings: Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) has received a critical shipment for the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant: the reactor core catcher for the fourth unit, arriving at the Dabaa port on Monday. Supplied by Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom, this component is vital to the advanced third-generation VVER-1200 reactors chosen for the Dabaa project. NPPA Chairman Amgad El-Wakeel emphasized the importance of the core catcher, which is designed to contain molten material in the rare event of a core meltdown, significantly boosting the plant's safety.

Statistics & Insights: The Dabaa project, with an estimated cost of $30 billion, includes four 1,200-megawatt reactors and is expected to meet about 10% of Egypt's power demands. Egypt and Russia signed a financing agreement in 2015, with Russia providing an export loan of $25 billion, covering 85% of the project’s construction costs.

Future Implications: If progress continues as planned, the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant's first unit could be operational by 2028, with the remaining units following by 2030. This development could place Egypt as a key player in nuclear energy across North Africa, enhancing the country’s energy security and independence.