During his speech at a press conference following his visit to the construction site of the nuclear power plant in Dabaa, he added that all phases of the project are underway, with plans to start the delivery and preliminary operation of the first unit in the second half of 2028, followed by the other three reactors in 2029. This timeline aligns with the latest meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the head of the company responsible for this project, emphasizing the regular monitoring of the project’s schedule.
In this context, the Prime Minister noted that the project had remained a paper plan for a long time, were it not for the will of the political leadership and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s determination to realize this dream, which officially began in 2015 with the signing of the preliminary framework agreement for the project. Implementation commenced in December 2017, and since then, the Egyptian and Russian sides have been collaborating on this significant aspiration for the Egyptian people.
The Prime Minister asserted at the beginning of the visit that the project enjoys full support from the political leadership, indicating that the Dabaa nuclear power plant represents a longstanding Egyptian dream dating back to the mid-20th century, and its realization reflects the national will to acquire advanced technology in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. He added that the project highlights the depth of the strategic relations between Egypt and Russia in energy and technology.
The visit included a presentation of a documentary film titled “Features of the Dabaa Project,” showcasing the project’s development stages and the achievements made thus far. The Prime Minister also listened to a detailed presentation from the head of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority regarding the project’s implementation status and future steps.
The Prime Minister and his entourage conducted an inspection tour that included the construction and assembly base, representing the main phase in executing the project. They reviewed the manufacturing workshops producing nuclear reactor components, including the containment vessel, which is among the most important technical components of the plant. They also inspected the progress of the second nuclear unit of the plant.
Dr. Sherif Helmy clarified that the project is making steady progress according to the specified timeline, with full adherence to nuclear safety and quality standards. He noted that the participation of the Egyptian workforce has reached 80%, with some components being manufactured locally in collaboration with Egyptian companies.
For his part, the Minister of Electricity confirmed that the Dabaa nuclear power plant falls within the state’s strategy to diversify energy sources and meet the increasing demand for electricity, emphasizing that the project will contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and Egypt’s Vision 2030. He also pointed out that the plant will represent a qualitative leap in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in Egypt.
At the end of the visit, the Prime Minister took commemorative photos with the Egyptian and Russian workers involved in the project, expressing his appreciation for the efforts made to realize this major national project, which will be a milestone in Egypt’s nuclear history.
The Prime Minister was received by Engineer Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Ahmed Kojok, Minister of Finance, and Dr. Sherif Helmy, Chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority, along with several executive leaders of the project. From the Russian side, Consul General Karen Vasilian in Alexandria and Alexey Kononenko, Deputy Head of Atomstroyexport, the main contractor for the project, were also present.
