Egypt is partnering with Russia on its first nuclear power plant which will be located in the northern town of El Dabaa. This 4,800-megawatt project, largely viewed as a major step towards sustainable energy, aims to bolster Egypt’s grid, create jobs, and diversify the country’s energy mix. Despite financial constraints, experts highlight the project’s economic feasibility and environmental benefits compared to the use of fossil fuels.
The project, initiated in 2015 followed by the signing of construction contracts in 2017, is expected to come into operation in 2028. It represents a substantial financial injection of US$30 billion, fuelled by a 22-year concessional US$25 billion loan from the Russian government.
Nestled along the picturesque Mediterranean coast, the Dabaa plant will comprise four cutting-edge pressurized water reactors, each boasting a capacity of 1,200 megawatts. With a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts, this ambitious initiative is poised to significantly bolster Egypt’s energy grid, kick-starting a paradigm shift towards stable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy supplies.
Dr. Karim El-Adham, former head of the Egyptian Nuclear Safety Center, told DevelopmentAid that “upon completion, it is estimated the plant will inject over 35 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually at a competitive cost” while simultaneously creating employment opportunities for the Egyptian people.
While acknowledging the initial high construction costs, Dr. El-Adham emphasizes “the low operational expenses and cost-effectiveness” when considering the total costs per kilowatt-hour.
Furthermore, he highlights its competitiveness with petrol with oil prices hovering around $50 per barrel.
Addressing sustainability concerns, Dr. El-Adham indicates that its lifespan will exceed 60 years which is far superior to the 20-year lifespan of traditional power plants. He points to the abundance of uranium and the potential extraction of seawater as sustainable alternatives.
With reference to climate concerns, Dr. El-Adham underscores the environmental benefits of nuclear energy. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear energy is clean and environmentally benign, producing zero greenhouse gas emissions, which makes it a sustainable option.
Dr. Ali Abdel Nabi, former Vice President of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority, underscores the robust design of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant’s VVER-1200 reactors, highlighting strict adherence to contemporary safety standards.
“While accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima serve as sobering reminders of nuclear energy’s risks, modern advancements have significantly bolstered safety protocols,” he explained to DevelopmentAid. He specified that the plant is equipped with “cutting-edge safety mechanisms designed to swiftly address unforeseen circumstances, thereby upholding operational stability and safety”.
Regarding implementation, Dr. Abdelaziz a renowned expert in nuclear media affairs, outlines a meticulous three-stage process spanning site preparation, construction, and operational testing. He anticipates the first reactor will become operational by 2028 and the project will be completed by 2030, reiterating its ambitious timeline.
Egypt faces significant challenges in its energy sector, marked by a 2.94% annual energy consumption growth rate that reached 3.81 quadrillion BTU in 2021. The summer of 2023 saw temporary rolling blackouts due to heatwaves thus underscoring the country’s vulnerabilities. Energy prices have fluctuated, decreasing in 2022 but rising in 2023 and 2024. In response, Egypt is diversifying its energy sources and investing heavily. Aligned with Vision 2030, the country aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10% by 2030 and increase renewables to cover 42% of electricity needs. With EGP 2 trillion targeted for climate-smart investments by 2030, Egypt planned to achieve 20% renewable power generation by 2022, rising to 42% by 2030. This includes targets such as delivering 7.2 GW of wind power by 2022 and 2.8 GW of solar CSP by 2027, along with 700 MW of PV by 2027. These initiatives reflect Egypt’s commitment to sustainability and energy security.
