Construction of the first Egyptian nuclear power plant remains in the focus of attention of the country’s top officials. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev and Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met in late August to hold negotiations. The parties praised the pace of construction works at the power units.
Alexey Likhachev expressed gratitude to Mostafa Madbouly for his consistent support of the El Dabaa NPP project. He also mentioned the talks he had with Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat during his current visit to Egypt. “Today Mr. Esmat and I had a meaningful dialogue. This was our first meeting after he assumed the post of Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy. El Dabaa NPP is among Rosatom’s priority overseas projects,” Alexey Likhachev said.
According to Mostafa Madbouly, the El Dabaa project is of special importance for the country and is included in the national energy diversification program, which provides for broader use of new and renewable energy sources by 2030. He noted the progress of the El Dabaa NPP project and reiterated Egypt’s commitment to providing all possible assistance to accelerate the project delivery in cooperation with Rosatom, given its priority as a source of clean energy.
Guests from Egypt and Sudan in Russia
In late August, students from African countries, including Egypt and Sudan, visited several Russian nuclear sites. The tour was given as an award to the winners of the Atoms Empowering Africa video contest organized by Rosatom.
The contestants had to make a short video on the benefits of nuclear power for Africa and present the potential of nuclear power on the continent. The videos were posted on social media and assessed by a panel of international experts. This year’s winners, hailing from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt and Sudan, have demonstrated exceptional creativity and dedication in showcasing the potential of nuclear energy on the African continent.
One of the highlights of the winners’ itinerary was Obninsk, renowned as the birthplace of the nuclear industry and Russia’s premier nuclear technology hub, which has celebrated this year the 70th anniversary of the launch of the world’s first nuclear power plant. In Obninsk, the guests visited the first nuclear station and Rosatom’s Technical Academy. The students were told about the educational domains of the academy and were demonstrated technical training facilities for the nuclear industry personnel. They also visited a prototyping unit for 3D visualization of nuclear station buildings, ‘operated’ a nuclear power plant using an analytical multi-functional simulator, visited special-purpose laboratories, and were shown a model of a hypothetical nuclear facility.
“Stepping into the realm of Obninsk NPP and the technical academy was a profound moment of enlightenment. Witnessing the operational excellence and meticulous training of nuclear engineers at the academy, where engineers of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant are trained, was truly awe-inspiring. This experience not only deepened my understanding of nuclear energy, but also instilled in me a sense of responsibility for what I have to learn about operational excellence and safety in nuclear energy,” said Yasmin Ehab, a participant from Egypt.
The African students also visited Moscow. They toured the main sights of the Russian capital, the Red Square and the Kremlin, and visited the Atom pavilion built with support from Rosatom. It is an unparalleled popular science site. Occupying more than 25,000 square meters, the exhibition tells the story of nuclear energy development and presents advanced nuclear technologies. In addition, the guests toured the Space pavilion, where they learned about the achievements of space exploration.
“The tour not only deepened our understanding of nuclear energy and how it touches daily lives in Russia, but also highlighted the importance of practical education. We are grateful for the opportunity to witness firsthand the future of nuclear energy and its impact on our world,” said Ahmed Abdel Rahman, a winner from Sudan.
“The Atoms Empowering Africa contest is a testament to Rosatom’s commitment to empowering African youth and promoting the benefits of nuclear energy. The high number of winners from Egypt underscores the nation’s robust dedication to embracing nuclear technology, paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable energy future for the country. We are proud to support and nurture the next generation of innovators who will drive Egypt and Africa’s energy sector towards greater efficiency and sustainability”, said Murad Aslanov, Director of Rosatom Regional Office in Egypt, emphasizing on the significance of the competition for Egypt.
