Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Egypt and Russia finalize fuel deal for El-Dabaa Nuclear Plant
In a significant milestone for Egypt’s peaceful nuclear ambitions, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly witnessed the signing of key agreements today to advance the country’s first nuclear power plant, El-Dabaa. These agreements include an order for the purchase of nuclear fuel for the facility and a comprehensive cooperation program with Russia’s state-owned nuclear giant, Rosatom.
The ceremony, held at the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant site, was attended by Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Eng. Mahmoud Essmat, the Chairman of Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority, Dr. Sherif Helmy, and Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachov, along with senior ministers and officials from both Egypt and Russia. Their presence underscored the strategic significance of the project and the deepening partnership between the two nations.
The signing coincided with the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for El-Dabaa’s first nuclear unit, a third-generation VVER-1200 reactor, marking a pivotal step in the project’s construction. The event also coincided with Egypt’s annual Nuclear Energy Day, commemorated each November 19 to honor the signing of the historic 2015 intergovernmental agreement between Egypt and Russia that laid the foundation for the El-Dabaa project.
These agreements mark Egypt’s readiness to proceed to advanced phases of construction, backed by stringent standards of nuclear safety and quality. The comprehensive program signed with Rosatom extends beyond power generation and includes cooperation in areas such as radioisotope production for cancer treatment, 3D printing for nuclear applications, and advances in telecommunications.
The El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project represents a strategic addition to Egypt’s energy portfolio, supporting the country’s vision for sustainable development, industrial modernization, and the training of Egyptian talent in the advanced field of peaceful nuclear technology.
This latest progress builds on nearly a decade of Egyptian-Russian cooperation since the two countries’ landmark 2015 agreement, paving the way for Egypt’s first nuclear power station and bolstering national capabilities in the peaceful use of nuclear technologies.