Egypt’s first nuclear power plant, El Dabaa, passed an important milestone as the first stage of concreting was completed at the inner containment shell of Unit 3, and the foundation slab was concreted for the transport airlock ramp at Unit 2. Meanwhile, Rosatom is building a dialogue with Egyptian society: the Russian nuclear corporation participated in the largest book fair in Cairo.
In early February, construction teams completed the first stage of concreting for the first tier of the inner containment shell (ICS) at Unit 3. This is a key safety structure of the nuclear power plant — it houses the nuclear reactor and primary circuit equipment. The first tier consists of 12 segments joined into a 44-meter ring with a total weight of 156 tonnes.
At Unit 2, workers finished concreting the foundation slab of the transport airlock ramp. The transport airlock is an important part of the reactor building. It will be used to move major pieces of equipment into the containment area after the closure of the ICS dome and throughout the entire service life of the power unit. Equipment will arrive via the ramp and be delivered inside the building through the transport airlock portal. Workers have begun installing wall reinforcement in the areas where the concrete has already reached the necessary strength. The erection of these walls will be one of the key construction stages for Unit 2 this year.
In late January, Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Power at Rosatom and President of AtomStroyExport (ASE), visited the construction site. He discussed the current progress of the project, key production tasks, and interaction issues with Dr. Sherif Helmy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority. The parties inspected the construction site and assessed the status of ongoing work.
Rosatom is consistently building an open dialogue with society and raising awareness among young people about nuclear technologies. In late January and early February, Rosatom participated in the 57th Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), one of the largest book fairs in the world, attracting over two million visitors annually.
Rosatom held a series of interactive educational events and quizzes dedicated to the basics of civil nuclear energy and the contribution of nuclear technologies to sustainable development, medicine, and technological progress. Over 800 visitors took part in Rosatom-organized activities.
Rosatom also conducted a literature session titled “Writing About the Ordinary in Extraordinary Times.” The discussion featured renowned South African writer and academic Imraan Coovadia and was moderated by Egyptian writer and literary critic Omneya Talaat. Participants discussed how to explain complex technologies, including nuclear energy, in simple terms.
“The Cairo International Book Fair provides an excellent opportunity for direct and open communication with a broad audience. Our participation reflects Rosatom’s commitment to raising awareness of nuclear technologies through clear, fact-based information and live dialogue,” said Murad Aslanov, Director of Rosatom’s office in Egypt.
Public events are not the only form of dialogue with society and future professionals — Rosatom also organizes regular educational tours to key nuclear industry facilities. In January, operators who will work at the El Dabaa NPP and are currently being trained at Rosatom’s Technical Academy visited the world’s first nuclear power plant in Obninsk. The guests were given a tour of the museum and shown the dosimetry control panel, the central control room, and the reactor hall. The tour group was also briefed on the research activities of the Leypunsky Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, which houses the museum.
Photo by: ASE JSC, Rosatom Middle East and North Africa, Akkuyu Nuclear JSC
