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.

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Nubian architecture, developed along the Nile River, showcases a harmonious blend of ingenuity, environmental adaptation, and community focus. Rooted in the challenges of a hot and arid climate, this architectural tradition offers timeless principles that remain highly relevant as architects strive to create sustainable, eco-friendly housing and communities today.

The Nubians are an indigenous African ethnic group native to the region along the Nile River, primarily in what is now southern Egypt and northern Sudan. They are one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a history that dates back thousands of years. They believe in monotheism but some have converted to Christianity over the years.

The foundation of Nubian architecture lies in its use of locally sourced, natural materials. Sun-dried mud bricks, made from Nile silt mixed with clay and straw, provided excellent insulation, regulating indoor temperatures. REadily available palm tree wood and reeds can be used for roofing and reinforcement, while mud or lime-based plaster finished walls, offering durability and a natural aesthetic.

Related: archeologists find pregnant Nubian woman with late-stage fetus stuck in her womb

A hallmark of Nubian construction is the Nubian vault, a technique for creating arched roofs without the need for timber or modern scaffolding. This gravity-based, pressure-stabilized structure was not only resource-efficient but also incredibly durable.

Rounded and domed forms further optimized buildings for thermal comfort, reducing heat absorption and ensuring even cooling. See Hassan Fathy.

Design Principles and Environmental Adaptation

Nubian builders mastered passive cooling techniques long before modern technology. Thick walls and small, strategically placed windows insulated interiors from extreme heat, while buildings were oriented to harness natural ventilation. This design minimized reliance on artificial cooling, making it inherently energy-efficient.

The Nubians also prioritized community-centric layouts. And this is why modern architects like Hassan Fathy thought that this ancient building tradition could solve many problems in Egypt. Homes were arranged around shared courtyards, fostering social interaction and communal living. Resources like water wells and shaded open spaces were shared, reinforcing a sense of collective responsibility and resilience.

Integration with nature was a cornerstone of Nubian architecture. Structures were often built on elevated ground to mitigate flooding, and materials were biodegradable, leaving minimal environmental impact. This synergy with the environment ensured sustainability across generations.

Buildings were often adorned with symbolic patterns and decorations, painted using natural pigments. These artistic touches reflected the community’s cultural identity and spiritual values.

Today there isn’t such a thing as a Nubian territory but you can visit Nubian people in Egypt and Sudan, living in their villages, preserved in time. Want to find a colorful Nubian village to explore? Check out the travel vlog of Kevin and Miranda and get going.

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Globe-trotters, divers, sailors, cyclists, pilots on solar airplanes –– those heading around the world like to capture their adventures so their loved ones can follow. That’s what a tourist did when they boarded the M/Y Sea Story on November 24, this year, a liveaboard diving adventure luxury yacht promising 3 dives a day. Egypt’s Red Sea is the most population destination in the world for divers because of its proximity to Europe –– only a 4-hour plane ride to Cairo, then a day bus trip to the seashore town of Marsa Alam.

There were 33 tourists onboard, all seasoned divers, expecting to go on challenging and adventurous dives into the Red Sea coral reefs, with the help of a team of 11, divers, cooks and a captain of the boat. For reasons that no official is yet saying the 3-story yacht listed 3 times and on its third, tipped into the sea and did not recover its balance. At that moment 23 people, including crew managed to jump from the capsized wreck into the sea, and most found life boats back to shore.

The story ends tragically when a day and a half later rescue divers finally went in. They heard knocking on the boat and with a beloved family member inside, one of the Egyptian rescue team insisted they go in. According to some accounts the Navy prevented the rescue divers from going into the boat. According to others the divers were afraid to go in the water because of the sharks. But they did go in but it took 36 hours since the boat started sinking.

After 36 hours from capsizing (varying accounts say an alarm was sent to another boat at 1:30am, others say the sinking happened at 2:30 or 3:30am on November 25) 5 people were rescued from inside their cabins. Those close to the wreck said they were farther out than they should be and saw a ship in the shipping lane passing in the distance.

After reaching out to the booking company (Dive Pro Liveaboard), local divers in the region, some associated with the company and who have local intel, the Navy and the local dive association, The Chamber of Diving and Water Sports, no one was willing to give the exact location when the boat first sent its distress signal. Rumors circulating suggest that the captain was the cook and that perhaps he or others in charge were inebriated (stoned), but since the “Authorities” in Egypt aren’t speaking to anyone, survivors and families of those who have lost their loved ones in the accident, are doing their own guess work.

We did have a diver “insider” reach out to us with the coordinates of the rescue, 36 hours after the boat listed and remained slightly above water. We spoke with a survivor’s daughter and he said his room’s porthole was above the water. The rescue boats following them did not give survivors trapped in Sea Story any indication they weren’t alone. No Navy ship blew its horn. In what could be a tragic story, if true, one anonymous source said the rescue crew followed the boat for 3 days after the 5 people and 4 bodies were pulled from the wreck on November 25. It is possible people were still inside alive.

We still don’t no where the boat first listed and why. We don’t know where the boat finally sank, although one source that can’t be named says it is in 1000 meters of water.

The family of the victim sent us their last Polarstar location, and you can see it here below. They say they were getting a signal as of December 2. This is the last transmission they’ve had. The location was sent at 14:50 November 25, many hours after the boat would leave the Port Ghalib. And it was transmitting until December 2, according to her in-laws that sent us this information. Does this give us any more clues about what happened when the Sea Story sunk?

If you want to follow the story more deeply, we have half a dozen articles that start here> Sea Story sinking.

If you have any more information related to this tragedy, send us a message seastory@greenprophet.com

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Rapid urban development in Egypt isn’t considering the UNESCO-protected sites in the city, like this mosque in the City of the Dead, demolished and in ruin

Locals are reporting that Egypt is demolishing ancient history by knocking down the Al-Qarafa Cemetery in the City of the Dead, a UNESCO-protected site, to build a new highway through Cairo.

The City of the Dead, or the Cairo Necropolis, is also also referred to as the Qarafa in Arabic, is a series of Islamic-era necropolises and cemeteries in Cairo, Egypt. They run north and to south of the Cairo Citadel, below the Mokattam Hills and outside the historic city walls, covering an area of about 4 miles long.

This cemetery is is part of Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. According to people who live in Cairo, the  area is home to stunning Islamic architecture, such as domes, minarets, and graves, some of which are over 1,200 years old. It also contains the resting places of Egypt’s most influential figures, such as those from the Muhammad Ali Royal Dynasty.

On the Urban Hell Reddit forum (where you can see photos –– we posted some here but the photographer asked us to take them down), one contributor says, “The Egyptian government and local authorities are highly corrupt, that’s why they are willing to destroy this cemetery without a second thought.”

Another reader defends the move, saying “They’re not “destroying it”. They’re putting an elevated highway through a four-mile wide cemetery. No registered historic buildings are being destroyed. The space this will take is a drop in the bucket. It would be nice if they didn’t have to but Cairo has grown 4x in population since 1970 and sacrifices must be made.”

Another one comments: “Reminds me of when Egypt destroyed trees in urban areas so property developers can sell the idea of “greenary” being exclusive and luxurious in gated communities. Or property developers leaving building facades unfinished so they don’t pay property tax. Or building a highway through apartments complexs or even through Alexandria’s ancient coastline

“Egypt needs to introduce new urban planning laws regarding historic sites, environment and facades before we see a highway ramp up to the Pyramid of Giza with a Starbucks on top.”

The government’s project is destroying a “unique, architectural, historic fabric,” said Ayman Wanas to the Associated Press. He is an official with the government department that lists distinctive buildings and wrote in his resignation letter posted online. “It’s a waste of Egypt’s historic, valuable heritage which is irreplaceable.”

Hundreds of activists were killed at Tahir Square in Egypt following the Arab Sprint uprising that started in 2011. Some sites list more than one thousand. We met Mohammed Gohar in Montreal who told us how he saved 17 Christians from certain death by hiding them in his TV station building during one of the protests. He was granted asylum in Canada for his bravery. Virginity checks and other awful violations faced the demonstrators as well.

The work on redeveloping Cairo, despite its rich architecture from the past is part of a mega-building campaign by their President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to reshape the home of 20 million people. His government is putting up massive freeways and flyovers at a furious rate while encouraging the growth of gated suburban compounds outside the city while building a giant new capital in the desert.

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The Egyptian National Authority for Tunnels has contracted a consortium to renovate its Cairo Metro Line 1. The group includes France-based Colas Rail, Egypt‘s Orascom Construction and Japan’s Hitachi Rail in an 800 million EUR) ($1.1 B USD) contract, split between the three companies.

The Line 1 in Cairo metro is the oldest underground train line in Egypt and is the heart of the city’s urban transport system, carrying 1.5 million people daily. The new investment will increase capacity on the line.

“We are proud to have supported the National Authority for Tunnels over more than 40 years in the construction of reliable, low-carbon urban mobility infrastructure in Cairo and Alexandria,” said Hervé Le Joliff, Chairman of Colas Rail. “The modernisation of line 1, which Colas Rail helped to build in the 1980s, represents a new challenge. Over the next few years, many of the world’s major cities will have to modernise their underground railway lines to keep pace with the growing demand for mobility among the population.”

Under the contract, Colas Rail will work with Orascom to modernize the electric power supply and electromechanical systems in stations, tunnels and on the rail track.

Related: Ecological news from Egypt

Hitachi Rail will upgrade the signaling, control and telecommunications infrastructure.

This work will be completed during the day while maintaining commercial operations on the line. The project is expected to start in October 2024 and will run for 64 months.

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It’s a heard sell to live in the Middle East if you need to relocate from the US or Europe for work. There are the dusty apartments, there are the uprisings, the conflicts. There is the heat. To help accommodate for luxury tastes Cairo is getting a new development for wealthy urbanites. It’s a far cry from Hassan Fathy’s sustainable vision of New Gourna.

Mercon Developments, a leading real estate company, announced the launch of its latest project, “Nurai,” situated on 16 acres in a prime location in the Lotus area at Golden Square, the heart of New Cairo.

“Nurai” represents a breakthrough in the concept of integrated urban communities, showcasing unique and distinctive designs never seen before in the Egyptian real estate market, according to PR material, but which looks like the American dream. With a total investment of approximately 10 billion EGP ($200 million USD), the project comprises 350 units, aiming to achieve targeted sales of around 3 billion EGP by 2024.

With a mixed-use residential and commercial development, the project features dedicated spaces for sports, cycling tracks, swimming pools, and water features, alongside commercial zones, recreational facilities, picturesque landscapes, luxurious entrances, and advanced security systems, as well as hotel units boasting modern designs that blend sophistication with luxury.

Golfing at the Egyptian Pyramids. What would Pharaoh think?

From the project’s inception, the company has adopted a strategy focused on meticulous planning and continuous market research to introduce a distinct product.

Additionally, the collaboration with renowned engineering consultants, led by Omar Okail, adds further value to the project, as his visionary designs breathe life into the compound, with every unit boasting exceptional views, luxurious natural ventilation, and unique natural lighting, creating an environmental balance that emphasizes the company’s commitment to sustainability.

“Nurai” is part of Mercon Developments’ expansive plan in the Egyptian market, aligning with the company’s strategy of selecting prime locations to enhance project success. The company is committed to sustainability and upholding social and environmental responsibility, using eco-friendly building materials and designs based on renewable energy. This reflects our vision of delivering integrated urban communities. While catchphrases of sustainability are thrown around in a press release, not much details about what this really means is included in the vision.

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Egypt is setting a benchmark in the region with the development of its first integrated waste management city in the Middle East, located in the 10th of Ramadan City.

This pioneering project, inaugurated in February, was attended by notable officials including the Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmin Fouad, the Minister of Local Development, and the governors of Cairo, Qalyubia, and Giza.

10th of Ramadan is a city located in the Sharqia Governorate, Egypt. It is a first-generation new urban community, and one of the most industrialized. It enjoys close proximity to the city of Cairo, and is considered part of Greater Cairo.

It is spearheaded by a 100% Egyptian company, selected from a competitive pool of 33 candidates, and is part of the larger Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project funded by the World Bank.

Strategically positioned near key locations, the waste management city is just 7 kilometers from Ismailia, 12 kilometers from Badr City, and 4 kilometers south of the industrial area of the 10th of Ramadan City.

Currently, about 25% of the initial phase has been completed, which focuses on constructing robust infrastructure.

This includes the installation of a 9-kilometer perimeter wall with a tree-lined fence, an extensive irrigation network, two 4-kilometer roads each 60 meters wide with two main gates, and beautifully landscaped areas with palm trees.

The initiative is a crucial element of the government’s effort to manage air pollution and climate change in Greater Cairo, as mandated by Presidential Decree 111 of 2021.

This project is designed to reduce air pollutants and aligns with Egypt’s commitment to enhancing environmental sustainability and urban development.

Zabaleen, or Christian garbage workers handle much of the waste in Cairo but over the years have been forced out of work. They are known as Cairo’s Garbage People.

The Zabaleen (or Zabbaleen) which translates directly from Arab into English as “Garbage People” harvest and hand-sort 15,000 tonnes of waste every day, recycling nearly 80% of that. Although they are responsible for one of the most successful recycling programs throughout the Middle East, this community of roughly 70,000 Coptic Christians face all kinds of discrimination. We recently featured the cave churches that they built despite not being able to own land and construct to build their own churches.

One reader Nesreen El-Solamy points out on a past article of ours on the Zabaleen: “Thank you for pointing out this magnificent church. However, for someone who isn’t familiar with the country, your article passes an impression that christians in Egypt are treated as outcasts.

“The wealthiest and most successful families in Egypt are Christian, and all Christians live side by side with Muslims. Unfortunately, the garbage collectors are looked down upon and built there own living areas. Because of their job not religious belief. Historically, as you said, mostly Christians accepted that job on account of raising pigs on organic waste. Nowadays, it has become common for all, as it turned to be a very profitable field of work.”

Cairo, we know, is not as tolerant as some people would like to portray. Cairo contains a number of synagogues, though only a handful of Jews remain. As of December 2022, there were 12 remaining synagogues but only 3 native Egyptian Jewish inhabitants in the city down drastically from a population of 80,000 Jews in 1948.

During the Egyptian riots in 2011, the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to kill young Christian demonstrators. Our Muslim friend in Canada, working there in the media managed to save 17 people from certain death. Our Bahai/gay friend in Cairo told us in personal communication that he was imprisoned and nearly beaten to death for not conforming to local Islamic laws.

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The film Gifts of the Nile takes us to Qursaya Island in Cairo, Egypt along the Nile River. This film takes us on a journey alongside River Hero Alban De Ménonville and his team at VeryNile as they work to remove plastics from the Nile River, while also educating the community and raising awareness around the importance of conservation in our waterways.

After noticing that the communities’ traditional ways of fishing were becoming more challenging due to the amount of plastic that entered the river, VeryNile quickly took action launching the “Reviving Cairo Fishermen” project. This project utilizes local fishermen and women and their knowledge of the river to assist in cleaning out any plastic, and in turn, pays them an above-average wage for putting in the work. This allows the river to be cleaned on a grassroots level by those who grew up on the riverbank and provides additional sources of income for the local community.

The film also follows artisan worker Loza Mahmoud and her fisherman husband, Hamed Aly Hamed, as they show their day-to-day lifestyle raising three children on Qursaya Island and depending on the Nile River to make a living for their family. As Hamed heads out to the fishery each morning with his young son, they focus on net fishing before switching their focus to plastic removal along the river.

After realizing that the fish tend to come and go, but the plastic is always there, Hamed makes it a priority to pull bags of plastic out of the river and bring them to a sorting facility. These sorting facilities are employed by locals from the VeryNile organization and are able to compact, package and store the plastic until its ready to be upcycled.

Read Also: Go to Mass in a cave church in Cairo

We are then introduced to Salma Ellakany, a VeryNile educator, who focuses on teaching the next generation the importance of conservation. Raising awareness amongst the youth in the area will give these declining ecosystems a chance as the next generation learns to use their passion to help their local community.

To come full circle, these bags of plastic that are stored after being removed from the river are then broken down and processed into colorful textiles, purses, hats and other home goods, allowing locals to sell these products as artists and creators. This has brought community locals together, working in unison with one topic of focus – sustainability.

“We have 40 full-time people (artisans, plastic operators) and we are working with around 100 fishermen; so that’s a total of 140 local families benefiting directly from this project,“ said Alban De Ménonville. “We translate a problem into opportunities that positively affect our communities and the health of the Nile River.”

Learn more about cleaning the Nile, and join the efforts of VeryNile if you are traveling to Egypt.

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Luxurious Slow Travel: A Sustainable Journey through Egypt’s Ancient Splendor

Travelers usually take a slow boat down the Nile but soon a new luxury slow mode of travel will be available for seeing Egypt’s ancient sites and wonders:

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The seventh edition of the El Gouna Film Festival (GFF) has been officially announced, scheduled to take place from October 24th to November 1st. The festival disclosed the dates for the upcoming edition in a statement, reaffirming their dedication to bolstering the Arab film industry. The previous edition of GFF was held from December 14th to December 21st.

The El Gouna Film Festival (GFF), founded in 2017, in Egypt serves not only as a platform for cinematic celebration but also as a catalyst for addressing pressing global issues, particularly those concerning sustainability and the environment. Amidst its vibrant tapestry of films, the festival emphasizes the power of art to foster awareness and dialogue about ecological challenges while promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

This year is a good time to support the film festival with a visit because the Hamas attack on Israel has desatbilized the region and tourism has tanked in Egypt.

Within the realm of Arab cinema, there has been a notable emergence of films that delve into themes of ecology, the planet, and renewable energy, shedding light on the intricate relationship between humans and the natural world. These cinematic works not only entertain but also provoke thought and inspire action towards a more sustainable future.

Consider Arab films like Theeb, a Jordanian drama set against the backdrop of the Arabian Desert during World War I, offers a compelling exploration of humanity’s impact on fragile ecosystems. As the character embarks on a perilous journey through the unforgiving landscape, the film confronts themes of survival, exploitation, and the consequences of environmental degradation. By immersing viewers in the harsh beauty of the desert, Theeb prompts reflection on the need for responsible stewardship of natural habitats and resources.

Sand Storm, an acclaimed drama from Israel’s Negev Desert, delves into the complexities of gender dynamics and environmental conservation within Bedouin society. Through its intimate portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship and the tensions that arise when tradition clashes with modernity, the film offers insights into the socio-cultural forces shaping attitudes towards the environment. Sand Storm underscores the importance of fostering inclusive dialogues and empowering marginalized communities to participate in efforts towards sustainable development.

There is Raha Shirazi’s film Acqua, almost guaranteed to make you never take water for granted again. In it, a woman walks through snow in search of water with a jar on her back. Everywhere there is water, but after reaching a specific destination, she experiences some kind of trauma that especially resonates with us given the region’s tremendous water scarcity.

Beyond the realm of narrative cinema, Arab filmmakers have also embraced the documentary format to explore environmental issues in depth. For instance, Rafea: Solar Mama follows the journey of a Bedouin woman from Jordan as she trains to become a solar engineer, challenging gender norms and advocating for renewable energy solutions in her community. Through her inspiring story, the documentary showcases the transformative potential of renewable technologies in empowering marginalized populations and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

The El Gouna Film Festival serves as a platform for amplifying voices that champion environmental stewardship and sustainable development in the Arab world and beyond. By showcasing films that tackle ecological issues with nuance and empathy, the festival harnesses the power of art to inspire collective action and promote a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with the planet.

While the festival isn’t selling itself as an eco film festival, artists can certainly exert their influence by submitting films of this nature. The festival does offer a $10,000 prize for films in the “green star” category. More on that here.

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