Egypt installs reactor vessel for second El Dabaa nuclear unit

Egypt installed the reactor pressure vessel for the second unit of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant on Thursday, marking a major construction milestone in the country’s first nuclear power project, developed with Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom.

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly attended the installation ceremony alongside International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat, Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) Chairman Sherif Helmy, Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev, and senior Egyptian and Russian officials.

The reactor pressure vessel, which houses the reactor core where controlled nuclear reactions take place, is one of the most critical components of a nuclear power plant. Its installation marks the transition of Unit 2 to an advanced stage of construction involving the assembly of key nuclear systems.

The milestone comes seven months after the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for the plant’s first unit, underscoring the rapid pace of construction at the project.

Likhachev said the project is progressing according to schedule, and in line with the highest international standards of quality and nuclear safety. He added that the next phase would involve welding the reactor’s main coolant circuit pipeline.

Grossi praised the progress achieved at the project and reaffirmed the IAEA’s support for Egypt’s peaceful nuclear programme, saying the agency would continue assisting member states in developing nuclear energy in accordance with international safety and security standards.

Minister Esmat said the milestone reflected progress in Egypt’s civilian nuclear programme and underscored cooperation with Russia to strengthen energy security, diversify electricity generation sources, and support the country’s sustainable development efforts.

Following a technical readiness announcement by NPPA Chairman Sherif Helmy, Madbouly gave the signal to begin installing the reactor pressure vessel.

Located on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast in Matrouh Governorate, the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will comprise four Russian-designed Generation III+ VVER-1200 pressurised water reactors, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, giving the facility a total installed capacity of 4,800 MW.

The El Dabaa project is one of Egypt’s largest infrastructure investments, expected to diversify the country’s electricity generation mix, strengthen long-term energy security, and expand cooperation between Egypt and Russia in the field of civilian nuclear energy.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English