Egypt and Russia are stepping up efforts to accelerate construction of the $30 billion El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, as both countries deepen cooperation on one of Africa’s most ambitious energy projects. Recent high-level meetings between Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority and Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom have focused on maintaining timelines and expediting key construction phases, as highlighted in Business Insider Africa reports.
The El Dabaa facility, located on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, will consist of four Generation III+ reactors with a combined capacity of 4.8 gigawatts, making it the country’s first nuclear power plant and a cornerstone of its long-term energy strategy. The project, which began construction in 2022, is largely financed by Russia through a $25 billion state loan covering about 85 percent of total costs.
Construction activity has accelerated significantly, with work ongoing simultaneously across all four reactor units and multiple milestones achieved, including reactor vessel installation and containment structure development. Officials say the project remains broadly on track under revised timelines, with completion of the first unit now expected around 2028 following earlier delays linked to global disruptions.
The intensified push reflects Egypt’s broader goal of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving energy security amid rising domestic demand. Once operational, the plant is expected to supply up to 10 percent of the country’s electricity, reinforcing Egypt’s position as a regional energy hub while deepening strategic and economic ties with Russia in the global nuclear energy market.
