Egypt gets nuclear power plant
Egypt is building a nuclear energy plant, expected to go online in 2026 when countries like Germany have shut down all its domestic nuclear power. The El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is the first nuclear power plant planned for Egypt and will be located at El Dabaa, Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, about 320 kilometers northwest of Cairo.
According to project documents, the plant is expected to generate around 37 billion kWh per year, enough energy to power about 10 million homes. Consider that millions of Egyptians are very poor and use bitumen for cooking.
Egypt is building the nuclear power plant with Russia, and the head of Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA), Sherif Helmy, recently took part in the Young Scientists Forum in the Russian city of Sochi, an event that drew senior international experts and officials in the nuclear energy sector.
This flagship project is aimed at boosting Egypt’s energy capacity and deepening Moscow–Cairo strategic ties.
In a statement, the NPPA said Helmy used the forum’s main session — themed “From the First Russian Nuclear Plant to Global Technological Leadership” — to outline the significant progress at El Dabaa nuclear power project.
He told reporters the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for the first unit, attended remotely by the Egyptian and Russian presidents via video link, marked a historic milestone and underscored strong political backing in both countries.
Helmy said Egypt’s nuclear program aligns with the country’s National Climate Change Strategy 2050, adding that nuclear power plays a critical role in supporting economic and industrial development. He made it clear that current priorities include completing the El Dabaa project on schedule and tracking global advances in small modular reactors (SMRs). Turkey is also steadily developing nuclear energy technology around Eastern Europe and Baltic states.
Helmy praised Egyptian–Russian cooperation, describing it as a solid strategic partnership that is essential for delivering the project’s goals. He said the NPPA is seeking deeper collaboration on peaceful nuclear applications and initiatives to promote nuclear energy across Africa.
Concluding his participation, Helmy said Egypt would continue to train national personnel, strengthen international cooperation and expand scientific and technical capabilities to advance the country’s sustainable energy vision.
Given that the Egyptian Navy can’t save people trapped inside a dive boat from drowning, we have little faith that the Egyptian authorities will be able to manage a nuclear reactor safely.
