**Egyptian President Hails Russian Cooperation in El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant Project**
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressed gratitude towards Russian President Vladimir Putin for the collaboration between Egypt and Russia in the construction of the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). This acknowledgment came during a speech following the inauguration of Egypt’s State Strategic Command headquarters in the New Capital on Saturday.
El Sisi highlighted the ongoing and future achievements stemming from the partnership, stating, “I seize this opportunity to thank Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation for this constructive and longstanding cooperation, which continues to yield remarkable achievements in our mega-development projects.”
The El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is a significant milestone for Egypt, marking the country's first foray into nuclear energy. The construction of the facility began in 2015 under an intergovernmental agreement between Russia and Egypt. The plant will feature four VVER-1200 reactors, which together will have a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts. According to Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation overseeing the project, the plant is expected to provide electricity to approximately 20 million people.
El Sisi noted that the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for the second power unit is anticipated to occur within days, indicating that the project is progressing as planned. He emphasized the plant's potential to contribute positively to sustainable development by providing clean energy that will support investment projects and meet the needs of Egyptian citizens.
The financial scope of the El-Dabaa project is substantial, with an estimated total cost of $28.75 billion. Russia is financing around 85% of the construction through a 22-year loan to Egypt, which carries an annual interest rate of 3%. This financial arrangement underscores the depth of the collaboration between the two nations in the energy sector.
Rosatom's CEO, Aleksey Likhachev, previously indicated that the first shipment of nuclear fuel for the El-Dabaa facility is scheduled to arrive in 2027. He also mentioned that preparations are underway to make the first power unit operational as early as next year, allowing for testing and commissioning processes to commence ahead of the expected electricity generation for Egyptian consumers in 2028.
In September, Egyptian Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat announced that the overall construction of the El-Dabaa project is projected to be completed by 2029. This timeline reflects the ambitious nature of the project and the commitment of both nations to see it through to fruition.
The El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is not only a pivotal development for Egypt but also signifies Russia's expanding influence in Africa's nuclear energy sector. Recently, Rosatom signed a roadmap with Rwanda for the development of a small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power project, further illustrating the company's strategic initiatives on the continent.
As Egypt moves forward with the El-Dabaa project, the collaboration with Russia is poised to play a critical role in shaping the country's energy landscape, promoting sustainable development, and enhancing energy security for its growing population.