Egypt has achieved a significant milestone in its nuclear energy program with the arrival of a critical component for its inaugural nuclear power facility, the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. The Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) confirmed the delivery of the reactor pressure vessel intended for the first unit of the plant, which is located at the newly established El Dabaa Specialised Port on the Mediterranean coast.
The NPPA emphasized the importance of the reactor vessel, stating that it is a principal element of the nuclear reactor. It serves as the housing for the reactor core, where controlled nuclear fission reactions take place. The design of the vessel enables it to endure exceptionally high pressure and temperatures, ensuring complete containment and contributing to the nuclear safety protocols of the plant.
This massive steel structure, weighing over 330 tons, was produced at the Izhora plant operated by Rosatom, Russia”s state nuclear corporation. After departing from St. Petersburg in early October aboard a specialized cargo vessel, it completed its 20-day journey to El Dabaa.
Dr. Sherif Helmy, the head of the NPPA, reported that the component has been successfully offloaded onto a heavy cargo quay specifically constructed for receiving major reactor parts. He indicated that the installation of the vessel is set to commence in mid-November, adhering to the project”s timeline.
Aleksei Kononenko, the deputy head of Atomstroyexport, which is the engineering division of Rosatom and the main contractor for the El Dabaa project, referred to the delivery as a “landmark event” in the construction of the facility. He noted that the forthcoming installation of the pressure vessel will represent “the most significant achievement of the year,” showcasing the robust collaboration between Egypt and Russia.
Situated in the coastal city of El Dabaa in Matrouh Governorate, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Cairo, this plant will be Egypt”s first nuclear energy facility. It is designed to include four Generation III+ pressurized water reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, contributing to a total output of 4,800 megawatts.
The El Dabaa initiative is rooted in a pivotal agreement made between Egypt and Russia in 2015, which aimed to establish the country”s first nuclear power plant, with financial and technical backing from Rosatom. The contracts for this collaboration officially took effect in December 2017 during Russian President Vladimir Putin”s state visit to Cairo.
Construction commenced in 2022, with the first reactor anticipated to become operational by 2028, followed by the other units in the subsequent years. Egyptian officials have hailed this project as a fundamental aspect of the nation”s long-term energy strategy, which seeks to diversify energy sources, accommodate increasing electricity demands, and reduce carbon emissions.
Experts assert that the successful delivery and installation of the initial reactor vessel signify a crucial advance in the project”s timeline, further establishing Egypt”s growing influence in the realm of nuclear energy development within the region.
