Egypt prepares to receive nuclear fuel for Dabaa Plant next year

Egypt is preparing to receive nuclear fuel for its Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant next year, Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat said on Thursday, as work continues to meet the project’s construction and grid-connection schedule.

Esmat met Sherif Helmy, Chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA), and Alexey Kononenko, Vice President of AtomStroyExport and Director of El Dabaa Construction Project, to review construction progress, the implementation of the plant’s physical protection plan, and preparations for the fuel’s arrival.

The meeting also reviewed measures to accelerate work on the project, complete its different phases, and connect the plant to Egypt’s national electricity grid according to the agreed timetable, with continued coordination between Egyptian and Russian teams.

Esmat said nuclear power was a key component of Egypt’s energy mix and its strategy to diversify electricity generation, meet rising demand, strengthen energy security, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The minister also reviewed specialised training programmes and efforts to prepare the personnel required to operate the plant, as well as plans to expand local manufacturing and increase the domestic component of project equipment.

Parts of the reactor building’s inner containment vessel are being manufactured locally, alongside key components including connections for the cooling system, which are produced entirely in Egypt. Egyptian workers account for about 80 per cent of the project’s workforce, the ministry said.

Esmat said construction was proceeding according to plan, with Egyptian, Russian, and international partners committed to the timetable for completing the different project phases and connecting the plant to the national grid.

The Dabaa Plant is part of Egypt’s peaceful nuclear power programme and a strategic partnership with Russia, aimed at generating electricity and diversifying the country’s energy sources.