Putin and el-Sisi to attend El Dabaa reactor installation ceremony

On November 19, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt will take part, via videoconference, in a ceremony marking a major milestone in the construction of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant: the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for Unit 1 of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

The El Dabaa project, located on the Mediterranean coast, is being built by Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom under the bilateral intergovernmental agreement signed in 2015.

It represents one of the most significant joint infrastructure projects between Russia and Egypt in recent decades.

Once completed, the nuclear plant will comprise four power units with a combined capacity of 4,800 MW, positioning Egypt among the leading producers of civilian nuclear energy on the African continent. The installation of the first reactor pressure vessel marks a crucial step in the transition from construction to the final stages of technological assembly.

The El Dabaa project is seen as central to Egypt’s long-term strategy to diversify its energy mix, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and support rapid industrial and demographic growth. 

For Russia, it strengthens long-standing political and economic ties with Cairo and reinforces Rosatom’s role as a major global player in nuclear energy development.

The ceremony is expected to highlight the strategic partnership between the two countries and underscore the importance of nuclear technology in securing sustainable energy solutions for the region.