Source: Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation

In early April 2026, Moscow and Cairo reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on the construction of El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, Egypt’s first nuclear power plant, and confirmed that the project has become a “main pillar” of Russian-Egyptian bilateral relations.

High-level Meeting: From April 3 to 4, 2026, Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, visited Moscow and held meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Foreign Ministry Statement: On April 7, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko stated that the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is currently the world’s largest nuclear power construction project, and the two sides plan to further intensify construction efforts.

Overcoming Challenges: Despite sanctions and supply chain pressures, both sides confirmed the project is proceeding on schedule. Unit 1 is expected to be completed and connected to the grid in 2028.

Full-scale Construction: Since the first concrete pouring for the base slab of Unit 4 in January 2024, all four units have entered full-scale construction.

Key Milestone for Unit 1: Installation of the reactor pressure vessel was completed at the end of 2025. As of April 2026, the unit is in the critical phase of system integration and commissioning preparation.

Localized Production: Multiple modules of the Inner Containment Structure (ICS) of the nuclear power plant have been locally manufactured in Egypt, marking the establishment of Egypt’s nuclear industry supply chain.

El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is Egypt’s first nuclear power plant and one of the largest nuclear power construction projects in the world. According to the latest progress in April 2026, Egypt is working closely with Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation to fully advance the construction of all four units. The total installed capacity is 4.8 GW, consisting of four 1.2 GW VVER‑1200 reactors.

The project adopts Russia’s Generation III+ pressurized water reactor technology (VVER‑1200), featuring high safety standards and resistance to large aircraft crashes. The total project cost is approximately $30 billion, with 85% financed by state loans provided by Russia.

Atomproekt JSC, a subsidiary of Rosatom, serves as the general designer of the project.

Although the site was selected as early as 1983, the modern contractual framework was established following the initial agreement signed in November 2015.

The formal Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract was awarded to JSC Atomstroyexport (ASE), the engineering division of Rosatom, in December 2016.

The units currently under construction utilize Russia’s VVER‑1200 Generation III+ pressurized water reactor design.

The 400,000 meters of precision tubes supplied by Cybersteel are among the core components of the nuclear island.

Typically with a diameter of 16 mm and wall thickness of 1.5 mm, the steel grade is 08X18H10T (Russian standard GOST), approximately equivalent to AISI 321 or 321H (titanium-stabilized austenitic stainless steel) under ASTM standards.

Titanium (Ti) is added to prevent intergranular corrosion. The tubes are designed for long-term service in high-temperature and high-pressure water environments above 300°C, with a design life of 60 years.

These serve as the “main arteries” connecting the reactor pressure vessel, steam generators, and main pumps.

Manufactured by Petrozavodskmash (part of AEM‑Technology), the pipes typically have an inner diameter of 850 mm and a wall thickness of up to 70 mm.

Constructed from low-alloy steel (e.g., 10GN2MFA) with a bimetallic structure, they provide high structural strength. The inner wall is cladded with a 5–7 mm layer of stainless steel (e.g., 308L/309L series) for corrosion resistance. Large-diameter bends, tees, and fittings are produced via die forging or high-pressure bending, with single pieces weighing several tons.

Located on the Mediterranean coast, the site requires solutions for high-salinity corrosion.

The pipes use grade 03X22H6M2GT (duplex stainless steel, equivalent to S31803/2205 under ASTM standards), developed by TsNIITMASH. This duplex structure combines ferritic strength and austenitic corrosion resistance, with a very high pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN), specifically engineered to withstand the high-salinity environment of the Mediterranean Sea.

Main steam pipelines are supplied by Doosan Enerbility (South Korea) and its subcontractors, generally using high-chromium alloy steels such as P91/P92 (equivalent to Russian grade 10Kh9MFB). These pipes transport saturated steam at approximately 5.4 MPa and 270°C, involving numerous 90° bends and reducers certified to both ASME and Russian GOST standards.

For Russia, the project serves as a key instrument to break through sanctions and expand its influence in the Middle East. For Egypt, it supports the implementation of its energy strategy, ensures energy security, and drives industrial upgrading. The project will not only provide low-carbon electricity to Egypt but also foster the development of local technical personnel, while offering valuable lessons for the implementation of large-scale energy projects in complex global environments.

While the project faces potential challenges in safe operation, financial sustainability, and geopolitical uncertainties, its long-term demonstration effect and strategic value are significant, positioning it as a benchmark for nuclear power development in North Africa.

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