Egypt moves closer to a clean energy future as El Dabaa nuclear power plant achieves major construction milestones

Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, now recognised as the largest nuclear project in the world by geographic footprint, is progressing on schedule.

This was confirmed on 4 April by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia's state nuclear energy giant, Rosatom, who affirmed the project’s steady progress.

Looking ahead, a significant milestone is set for November this year, when the reactor vessel will be installed in the first unit of the facility. This key component will mark the shift of the plant from a construction site to an operational nuclear facility.

The plant’s location, nestled on Egypt’s northern Mediterranean coast, was carefully selected with safety and reliability as top priorities.

To further ensure safety and efficiency, the state-of-the-art Generation 3+ reactor technology chosen for the project meets all post-Fukushima requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), highlighting Egypt’s commitment to the highest nuclear safety standards.

A two-phase journey

Dr Ali Abdelnabi, a nuclear energy expert and former vice-chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority, spoke to The New Arab about Egypt’s long-standing nuclear ambitions, describing two main phases in the country’s journey.

In the first phase, from 1955 to 2007, serious efforts were made to acquire nuclear technology, but political challenges slowed progress.

The second phase, from 2007 to the present, brought renewed hope and commitment. Dr Ali pointed out that a key factor in this shift was the strong political will, especially during President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s tenure.

“Without this unwavering determination, Egypt’s nuclear ambitions would likely have continued to stall indefinitely,” he said.

“The escalation of climate change impacts — including growing poverty, water scarcity, threats to food security, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation—has compelled Egypt to prioritise the pursuit of clean energy solutions. Nuclear power offers a vital component in the nation’s comprehensive strategy to address these challenges,” Dr Ali added.

A move toward environmental sustainability

From an environmental perspective, Dr Ali highlighted that nuclear power plants significantly contribute to reducing harmful emissions, thanks to their status as low-carbon energy sources.

“This not only helps protect natural habitats and supports biodiversity, but projections indicate that the El Dabaa power plant could help Egypt avoid emitting more than 10 million tons of greenhouse gases annually, marking an impressive step toward cleaner air and slowing climate change,” he explained.

Dr Ali added that, in terms of natural resources, nuclear energy is a clear leader over both conventional fossil fuels and many renewable sources, as it minimises land and fuel consumption while supporting environmental preservation and agricultural protection.

As Dr Ali put it, the operation of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will serve as a strategic pillar for Egypt’s efforts toward environmental sustainability. As a stable and sustainable source of electricity free from carbon emissions, the plant will significantly reduce Egypt’s greenhouse gas output.

According to Dr Ali, this development also aligns Egypt with its international commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Endless opportunities unlocked

Recognising common concerns about radioactive waste, Dr Ali explained that technological advancements have significantly alleviated potential environmental hazards.

“Highly radioactive waste is safely stored in water pools for at least ten years before being moved to above-ground dry storage casks for over eighty years. About 97% of this waste can be recycled as fuel in next-generation nuclear reactors, which are currently under development. The global inventory of stored radioactive waste is sufficient to power such reactors for thousands of years,” he said.

When it comes to safety for local communities, Dr Ali noted that living near a nuclear power plant entails no greater risk than residing in any large city; in many respects, it is actually safer.

“Nuclear facilities do not emit carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or sulphur oxides, which are harmful to human health and the environment. As a result, communities around these stations benefit from cleaner air, lower rates of respiratory illnesses, and generally reduced environmental noise and congestion,” Dr Ali explained.

Dr Ali further suggested that the El Dabaa region is expected to flourish as a significant tourist destination, improving local living standards and economic opportunities.

At present, the construction of the nuclear power plant is also proving to be a powerful economic engine, projected to generate thousands of temporary jobs across various sectors.

At its peak, the plant will employ up to 10,000 workers, driving growth in commerce, small businesses, healthcare, and recreation, and over its 80-year operational lifespan, there will be a lasting demand for services to support both staff and the wider community, including housing, healthcare, education, and entertainment, creating numerous long-term jobs.

“The government is giving special attention to developing the El Dabaa region and its surroundings, ensuring that health, educational, and recreational services are established to the highest international standards, while also supporting economic growth in trade, agriculture, industry, and tourism,” Dr Ali shared.

Solutions to economic efficiency

Regarding the project’s potential benefits for Egypt’s energy mix, Dr Karim El-Adham, a nuclear safety expert, explained that Egypt currently relies heavily on fossil fuels, which not only harm the environment but also prevent the country from realising greater economic returns from its oil and gas resources in higher-value petrochemical industries.

“Turning to nuclear and other alternatives for power generation allows Egypt to gain much more economically as a country,” he said.

He also noted that renewable sources such as wind and solar, while invaluable, are fundamentally intermittent and cannot support the grid continuously in the way nuclear power can.

“Using oil and gas exclusively for electricity generation is not the most efficient way to leverage these resources. By channelling them into petrochemical industries instead, we can achieve far greater economic returns. If we replace oil and gas in electricity production with alternative sources, and utilise them in higher value-added sectors, the overall benefit to the economy would be substantial,” Dr Karim explained.

Powering Egypt's future 

Looking to the future, the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, much like the High Dam in Aswan, which has long been a cornerstone of Egypt’s renewable energy by providing significant hydroelectric power, is set to produce 3.6 gigawatts of electricity by 2029.

Moreover, once all four reactors are operational by 2030, the total capacity will reach 4.8 gigawatts, reducing Egypt’s reliance on natural gas and further strengthening the nation’s energy security.

“By integrating El Dabaa, Egypt is not just improving grid reliability but also fostering domestic expertise by involving Egyptian companies in civil construction, mechanical and electrical installation, and project management to meet the highest global standards,” Dr Karim explained.

In the latest developments, Egyptian engineers and technicians have undergone rigorous training in Russia to master the operation of the newest generation of nuclear reactors.

At the heart of this year’s construction milestone is the reactor vessel, set to be installed in November — a remarkable engineering feat measuring up to 15 metres tall and encased in 30-centimetre-thick steel, according to Dr Karim.

He further highlighted that the Generation 3+ reactors feature enhanced passive safety systems.

“The advanced safety systems in these reactors mean that operational security is more robust than ever, giving us the confidence to move forward,” he said.

[Cover photo: X @AfricaFactsZone]

Salwa Samir, a Cairo-based journalist, writes about antiquities, human rights, social issues, immigration, and issues concerning children and women.

Follow her on X: @salwasamir2010