Construction works are continuing at all the four power units of El Dabaa NPP. Unit 1 is being prepared for the installation of a reactor pressure vessel, which will be this year’s milestone event. Meanwhile, Rosatom is expanding cooperation with Egyptian partners and contributing to raising public awareness about nuclear energy in the country.
In January, a cantilever truss was installed at El Dabaa Unit 1. Being a component of the molten core catcher, it holds lines for supplying water and venting steam, as well as for ventilation, installation of measuring instruments and inspection of the core catcher.
Weighing more than 150 tonnes, the truss is 2.6 meters high and 11 meters in diameter. The installation was assisted with a heavy crane and took six hours.
“Putting the cantilever truss in place is the first step towards installing the reactor pressure vessel at Unit 1, which will be a milestone event of 2025. I thank the Egyptian team for their fruitful and well-coordinated work,” said Alexey Kononenko, Vice President of AtomStroyExport and Director of El Dabaa Construction Project.
The core catchers are already in place at each of the four El Dabaa units. The last one was installed at Unit 4 late last year. Core catchers are included in the design of every nuclear power plant with VVER-1200 reactors. Foreign reactor designs, even those belonging to Generation III+, do not have such safety devices.
In January, Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding with Benha Electronics, one of Egypt’s largest electronics companies. The document provides for the integration of advanced Russian technologies into the company’s production processes.
“This will increase operational efficiency, raise local content, and improve the quality and competitiveness of Egyptian products in both regional and global markets,” said Murad Aslanov, Director of Rosatom’s Office in Egypt.
The parties will develop a comprehensive plan to introduce advanced technologies into civilian production, and establish a joint working group to prioritize future projects. The efforts will be concentrated on improving production efficiency, increasing the use of local components, improving product quality, and expanding export opportunities in national and international markets.
“With state-of-the-art technology, we intend to take a leading position in the manufacturing sector and contribute to the success of Egypt’s Vision 2030,” said Major General Engineer Tarek Mohamed Mahmoud Al-Abbasi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Benha Electronics.
The integration of innovative solutions will enable Egypt to meet international production standards, while contributing to sustainable development and economic diversification.
In early February, Rosatom took part in the 56th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF 2025). Visitors of every age had an opportunity to play interactive games, receive books as gifts, join educational sessions and learn more about the Russian nuclear industry, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.
Rosatom also organized a public session entitled ‘Nuclear Energy: From Peaceful Uses to Public Acceptance’. Nuclear energy experts, engineering students, CIBF visitors and journalists discussed the role of nuclear energy in sustainable development, dispelled common myths about the nuclear industry, and talked about cutting-edge achievements in nuclear technology.
“Over the past 80 years, the Russian nuclear industry has accumulated vast experience that has enable it to take the lead in more than a hundred promising fields,” Murad Aslanov said.
In late February, Egypt will host an international youth forum on ‘green’ nuclear technology organized by the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) with support from Rosatom. More than 300 young professionals, students and experts from different countries are expected to take part in the forum. The Nuclear Technology for Humanity plenary session will bring together government officials, nuclear industry leaders and sustainability experts to discuss the nuclear industry’s global achievements and the challenges it faces. This will be followed by thematic sessions on non-power applications of nuclear energy. Expert discussions will focus on the impact of nuclear technology on industrial development and the life of people.
Photo by: Atommash, Rosatom State Corporation, Egyptian Gazette
