Nuclear progress: Putin and al-Sisi launched the installation of the reactor vessel of the nuclear power plant

Russia and Egypt are entering a key stage in the construction of the first Egyptian nuclear power plant: on November 19, Vladimir Putin and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched the installation of the El-Dabaa reactor vessel. This project is becoming the flagship of energy cooperation between the two countries and opens the African market to Rosatom. The Russian President noted the high pace of construction of the plant and stressed that in the foreseeable future it will be able to generate electricity for the growing Egyptian economy. Putin also recalled the long history of cooperation, when Soviet specialists participated in the creation of large facilities in the country. Al-Sisi called the installation of the reactor a historic moment for Egypt.

"El-Dabaa" is being built by more than 25 thousand people

On November 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi took part in a videoconference at the installation ceremony of the reactor vessel of the first power unit of the Al-Dabaa NPP. This is a key stage in the construction of Egypt's first nuclear power plant and, at the same time, Rosatom's first project in Africa.

During the ceremony, Vladimir Putin noted the successful progress of construction.

"We are entering a key stage of technological equipping of the plant, and in the foreseeable future it will be able to start generating electricity that is in demand to meet the needs of the growing Egyptian economy," said the Russian president.

He recalled that in the second half of the last century, Soviet specialists actively participated in the development of the Egyptian economy, helping to create large industrial facilities, energy and infrastructure projects. Putin also noted the dynamic development of the bilateral partnership. The trade turnover between the two countries has increased by more than a third over the past year.

— Industrial cooperation is deepening, and work is underway to locate a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal area. The planned commissioning of four El-Dabaa NPP power units with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts will significantly strengthen Egypt's energy security. The three plus generation reactors will be able to produce up to 37 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, and thus about 10% of the country's energy consumption will be provided," Putin said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi added that the installation of the reactor vessel at the first power unit of the Al-Dabaa NPP is a historic moment for the country.

— Today's event is a continuation of cooperation between the two countries in the implementation of giant projects that have influenced development and progress, from the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 60s to the construction of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant. And these are grandiose national projects that are of great value to Egypt," said el-Sisi.

The Russian President congratulated his Egyptian counterpart on Abdel Fattah el-Sisi's 71st birthday. Vladimir Putin wished the Egyptian president "such atomic energy" in all his affairs and endeavors.

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom State Corporation, speaking at the ceremony, noted that more than 25,000 people are employed in the construction of nuclear power plants, of which over 17,000 are Egyptian citizens. According to him, the training of specialists for work at the plant continues: after commissioning, more than 1,700 people trained by the Rosatom Technical Academy will work at the NPP.

Egypt is one of Russia's key partners in Africa

The nuclear power plant is located in the province of Matrouh on the Mediterranean coast, 350 km from Cairo. The plant will use Russian VVER-1200 generation "3+" reactor installations that meet international requirements for efficiency and safety. Rosatom's Engineering division acts as the general designer and general contractor of the construction.

Construction is progressing at a record pace: in 2022, work began on the first two power units, with the difference between the first concrete being poured being only four months, an indicator that the industry calls unique. Construction of the third power unit started in 2023, and the fourth in January 2024.

The El-Dabaa nuclear power plant has become the first Russian nuclear power plant under construction on the African continent. For Rosatom, this project actually opens up the African market: other states in the region are closely monitoring the implementation of the construction project, assessing the possibilities of cooperation with the Russian state corporation. At the same time, Moscow relies on many years of experience in building nuclear power plants abroad — similar facilities have already been built or are being built in China, India, Iran, Turkey, Bangladesh and a number of other countries.

Egypt's total revenue during the operation of the plant, according to various estimates, will exceed $300 billion. This is not only about revenue from electricity generation, but also about the development of related industries, increasing the tax base and saving hydrocarbons. The operating period of a nuclear power plant is 60 years, while it can be extended to 80 or more.

The project will give a long-term impetus to the development of science, technology, medicine and education. Thanks to the advent of nuclear generation, Cairo will be able to redistribute oil and gas in favor of industry and exports, rather than using them to generate electricity.

Russia considers Egypt as one of its key partners in Africa. The trade turnover of the two countries in 2024 exceeded $9 billion, an increase of about a third. More than 40% of settlements are already carried out in national currencies, and this share continues to grow. This dynamic makes Egyptian-Russian relations one of the most stable in the region.

The potential for further cooperation between the two countries is primarily related to the implementation of the El-Dabaa NPP project, Egyptian international relations specialist Tarek al-Bardisi told Izvestia.

He also considers the expansion of Russian grain imports, the development of joint projects in agriculture and the deepening of industrial cooperation, including the participation of Russian companies in the Suez Canal economic zone, to be promising areas. In addition, the expert noted the possibility of increasing tourist exchange.

The military sphere remains an important element of the bilateral dialogue. According to SIPRI, over the years, Russia has held a leading position among arms suppliers to Egypt. Cairo has been purchasing Russian air defense systems and fighter jets, although some areas of cooperation, as noted by Egyptian observers, have faced pressure from the United States.