Egypt Daily News – A high-ranking Russian delegation, led by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, conducted an inspection visit to the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant site in Egypt. The project, located on the Mediterranean coast in Matrouh Governorate, is being constructed by the Russian company under a bilateral agreement.
Joining Likhachev were Dr. Andrey Petrov, Deputy Director General of Rosatom and CEO of Atomstroyexport, along with Russia’s Ambassador to Egypt, Georgy Borisenko. The delegation was welcomed by Egyptian officials, including Dr. Sherif Helmy, Chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA), and Eng. Ahmed Farghal, Head of the Executive Authority for Nuclear Projects Oversight.
A joint meeting was held during the visit to review the progress of the project, assess the construction timeline, and outline an implementation strategy. Discussions focused on the outcomes of the recent meeting between President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Russian delegation, particularly regarding the localization of electrical equipment manufacturing, technology transfer, and enhancement of scientific research cooperation.
Preparations for receiving electrical equipment for the first reactor were also reviewed, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to adhering to the project’s agreed-upon schedule. As part of the visit, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Essmat, accompanied the Russian delegation on a tour of the construction site, where they inaugurated a new training center aimed at upskilling the workforce.
The delegation also held working sessions to discuss plans for increasing manpower on-site and intensifying construction efforts. Project managers from both countries presented progress updates and outlined the next phases of work.
Minister Essmat emphasized that President El-Sisi is closely monitoring the development of the El-Dabaa project and that the Egyptian leadership is committed to the localization of nuclear-related manufacturing. He highlighted the strategic importance of the project as a model of bilateral cooperation and a testament to the strong historical ties between Egypt and Russia.
He added that the project supports Egypt’s strategy to diversify its energy sources through a balanced mix, incorporating new, renewable, and clean energy to reduce fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions. The minister reiterated the state’s focus on the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a key pillar of its sustainable development plan, especially in the field of power generation.
El-Dabaa is Egypt’s first nuclear power plant and consists of four VVER-1200 reactors with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts. The project is being executed under an agreement signed between Egypt and Russia in November 2015. Construction began in July 2022, with the first reactor expected to be operational by 2028. Full completion is anticipated by 2030. The project also includes training programs to develop Egyptian technical expertise and initiatives to localize electrical manufacturing and nuclear technology.
