Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced that the first unit of the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is expected to be operational by the second half of 2028, according to a televised statement made in July.
With a planned total capacity of 4,800 megawatts and over 80% of the workforce being Egyptian, the plant is positioned to transform the nation’s energy sector and fulfill a decades-old national aspiration.
Operational by 2028
“El-Dabaa represents the realization of a long-awaited national dream,” Madbouly said, underscoring the project as a reflection of Egypt’s commitment to developing advanced, safe, and sustainable energy sources.
During an on-site inspection, the Prime Minister reviewed progress reports and visited active construction zones. The Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) confirmed that the project remains on schedule and complies with strict international safety standards. NPPA Chairman Sherif Helmy highlighted the depth of domestic involvement, noting that Egyptian companies are producing many critical components and local workers make up approximately 80% of the workforce.Significant milestones include the completion of the first tier of the inner containment structure for Unit 1—an essential safety element composed of 12 reinforced concrete segments, each weighing between 60 to 80 tonnes.
Reduce Egypt’s dependence on fossil fuels
Situated 320 kilometers northwest of Cairo, El-Dabaa marks Egypt’s first nuclear facility and the first of its kind in Africa since South Africa’s Koeberg plant nearly four decades ago. Construction began in July 2022 and now involves over 20,000 workers across more than 130 active zones. The project aims to reduce Egypt’s dependence on fossil fuels and elevate its role as a regional leader in peaceful nuclear energy.
According to Ember Energy, in 2024, Egypt generated only 11% of its electricity from low-carbon sources—well below the global average of 41%—with fossil fuels accounting for 89% of the country’s power mix. Egypt ranked as the 24th largest electricity consumer worldwide. Despite this reliance on fossil fuels, Egypt’s per capita CO₂ emissions stood at 1.2 tons, remaining below the global average. The country has set a goal to generate 42% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The Brookings Institution’s working paper “Keys to Climate Action” by Abou-Ali, Elayouty, and Mohieldin highlights Egypt’s climate challenges and opportunities. Although Egypt contributes only 0.6% of global CO₂ emissions, it faces severe risks from heatwaves, sea level rise, soil salinization, and desertification, threatening its economy, food security, and public health. The paper calls for turning climate ambitions into action by learning from OECD experiences and seizing global opportunities. Key obstacles include weak data systems, limited implementation capacity, and financing gaps.
However, sectors like agriculture, energy, and transport hold strong potential. With abundant land, year-round sunshine, and high wind speeds, Egypt is well-placed to lead in renewables—especially green hydrogen—and boost energy cooperation between Africa and Europe. Success will depend on improved economic incentives, such as subsidies and updated environmental regulations, to drive clean technology innovation.
Egypt’s energy mix
In line with these efforts, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity, Mahmoud Esmat, recently met with Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General of Rosatom and President of AtomstroyExport, to assess the progress of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. The meeting emphasized staying on schedule, integrating key electrical components into the national grid, and accelerating training programs to prepare a skilled local workforce. Both parties reaffirmed the importance of ongoing cooperation. Esmat reiterated Egypt’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix and reducing carbon emissions through nuclear and renewable energy, positioning the Dabaa plant as a key pillar of the country’s Vision 2030 and a symbol of the strong strategic partnership with Russia.
Under the 2017 agreements, Rosatom is not only responsible for constructing the Dabaa facility but also for supplying Russian nuclear fuel throughout the plant’s operational lifespan. The company is tasked with training Egyptian personnel and providing maintenance support during the first ten years of operation. Additionally, Rosatom will build a dedicated storage facility and supply containers for safely storing spent nuclear fuel.
