Sisi and Putin sign an agreement to purchase nuclear fuel for the Dabaa plant

Sisi and Putin sign an agreement to purchase nuclear fuel for the Dabaa plant

The Dabaa nuclear plant is the first Egyptian project of its kind to producenuclear energy, which was implemented in the city of Dabaa in Matrouh Governorate, approximately 289 kilometers northwest of Cairo.

The station includes four units of modern VVER-1200 reactors, which gives Egypt a unique position in the region as the only country that possesses advanced third-generation reactors, known for their efficiency and high safety standards.

The beginning of the project dates back to 2015, when Egypt and Russia concluded an initial agreement to establish and finance the first nuclear station to produceelectricity in Egypt. Then, 2017 witnessed a pivotal step with the signing of executive contracts to build the four units, during an official ceremony attended by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Thus begins a new chapter in strategic cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy.

ThereforeThe Earth Guards FoundationIn this article, it highlights a historical event added to the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project, and makes it a tangible reality after years of construction and preparation. So keep reading.

Project phases and schedule

The Dabaa nuclear station project is proceeding with sequential and deliberate steps, steps that reflect the scale of planning and the degree of precision required to establish the first nuclear station to produce electricity in Egypt. This is illustrated by the project’s phases, which together will form a clear road map to reach the station’s full operation in the coming years.

The following are the most prominent stations of this timeline in detail:

• The first phase began with the signing of the government agreement between Egypt and Russia in November 2015, followed by the signing of executive contracts in December 2017.
• Then came the first concrete pouring work for the four units of the station between 2022 and 2024.
• In October 2025, the first pressure vessel for the first unit was delivered to the construction site, and Rosatom set the installation of the vessel in mid-November 2025.
• The first unit is expected to begin operating in the second half of 2028, while the remaining three units will be completed by 2029.

Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant Agreement

Today – November 19, 2025 – President Sisi and President Putin spoke – via video conference technology – and participated remotely in the procedures for installing the reactor pressure vessel for the first nuclear unit in the station.

In addition to signing a purchase orderNuclear fuel; In order to operate the Dabaa nuclear station on an experimental basis, within a historic purchase agreement between Egypt and Russia, which confirms the readiness of the Dabaa station for the next phase of operational tests.

Egyptian-Russian Cooperation

According to a statement by Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, “the official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic,” this event coincides with Egypt’s celebration of the fifth annual anniversary of nuclear energy (November 19); In commemoration of the signing of the government agreement with Russia to build the Dabaa nuclear power plant.

The official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic also explained that the participation of the two presidents on this occasion embodies the depth of the strategic relations between the two countries, and the extension of joint cooperation in giant development projects, starting with the High Dam in the 1960s, all the way to the current nuclear project.

From the above, it is clear that the Dabaa nuclear plant is part of the infrastructure projects that aim to achieve energy sufficiency, through Russian funding, as well asRussian support in the field of technical training and management of the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from supplying the necessary fuel to managing spent fuel, then storing it safely.

The importance of the pressure vessel and nuclear fuel

As for the main component of the nuclear power generation unit, which is the pressure vessel that will be installed today, it is the basic component of the nuclear reactor at the Dabaa station. The installation of this vessel – weighing about 330 tons and measuring about 13 meters in length – will be a milestone in the history of the construction of the station. It represents the transition from the civil construction phase to the mechanical assembly phase of the reactor.

Safety standards at the forefront

Regarding nuclear safety standards, Egypt – represented by the Ministry of Electricity – confirmed that the Dabaa Nuclear Plant is committed to the highest safety standards. The Ministry of Electricity indicated that the reactor technology (VVER-1200) used in Dabaa is designed according to the highest international safety levels with multiple safety systems that prevent radiation leakage.

So, this event constitutes a major step in the path of the Egyptian peaceful nuclear program, after it was an Egyptian ambition for decades, and this ambition has become a reality thanks to the current political and technical efforts, through a nuclear plant to secure energy.

With this new launch, Egypt is close to achieving its goal of diversifying the national energy mix and enhancing the security of its electrical supply, as the Dabaa nuclear plant is expected to cover about 10% of electricity consumption by 2030.

Therefore,The Earth Guards Foundationconfirms that the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is a long-term strategic project that contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supporting their social, economic and environmental dimensions, expands the scope of development in various productive and service sectors, and paves the way for a new era in the energy sector through knowledge and technology. The world has proven that nuclear energy is a promising option and an essential foundation for ensuring energy stability and improving the quality of life.