Monday, 25 May 2026
Egyptian Minister witnesses ceremony for transfer of reactor pressure vessel to Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant
Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mahmoud Essmat, attended a ceremony marking the transfer of the reactor pressure vessel for the first nuclear unit from the port of Saint Petersburg, Russia, to the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant site.
The event occurred during his participation in the High-Level Nuclear Summit and World Nuclear Week in Moscow.
The reactor pressure vessel is one of the most critical and largest components of a nuclear reactor. Its function is to contain the nuclear reactor and safely transfer its heat to steam generation systems, ensuring the plant’s operation and efficiency.
The transfer of this massive component marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project, within the framework of Egypt’s program for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
This step reflects progress in the project and adherence to the established timelines. The manufacturing of the reactor pressure vessel took approximately 41 months, and it is expected to arrive in Egypt during the first week of November.
Dr. Essmat emphasized that the nuclear power project for electricity generation enjoys the full support and continuous follow-up of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. He noted that the project contributes to meeting the growing demand for electricity, particularly clean energy, while enhancing energy security, supporting comprehensive development plans, fostering economic growth, and achieving sustainable development.
The Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project is part of the strategic partnership between Egypt and Russia, reflecting the deep historical ties and ongoing cooperation between the two nations and their peoples. This collaboration is exemplified by the implementation of this monumental project within Egypt’s peaceful nuclear program for electricity generation.
Dr. Essmat highlighted the coordination, cooperation, and integration between Egyptian and Russian teams working on the Dabaa project, stressing the importance of direct meetings and continuous monitoring to ensure progress according to the project’s timeline. He also revealed plans for a celebratory event in Egypt to mark the arrival of the reactor pressure vessel, the most significant component of the nuclear reactor, at the plant site.
It is worth noting that the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is Egypt’s first nuclear power plant for electricity generation. Located in the city of Dabaa in Matrouh Governorate on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Cairo, the plant consists of four power units, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts. The units are equipped with Russian VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors, a third-generation advanced technology with successfully operating reference plants. The project entered the implementation phase in December 2017 and is progressing according to the planned schedule.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Sherif Helmy, Chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority, and Dr. Ahmed Farghal, Head of the Executive Agency for Supervising Nuclear Projects, from the Egyptian side. Representing Russia were Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation "Rosatom," Dr. Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General of Rosatom and President of Atomstroyexport, the company overseeing the Dabaa project, alongside other officials from Egypt and Russia involved in nuclear energy and its peaceful applications.