The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) was successfully installed in its design position at Unit 2 of the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The plant is being constructed by Rosatom’s Engineering Division, which serves as the general designer and general contractor for the project.
The ceremony was attended by Director General of Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev, Russian Ambassador to Egypt Georgy Borisenko, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Egypt, Dr. Mahmoud Esmat. Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), delivered opening remarks during the ceremony.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly emphasized that the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project continues to strengthen the strategic partnership between Egypt and Russia, while the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for Unit 2 marks another milestone in Egypt’s national development journey.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said: “Today’s event represents another important step in implementing one of the New Republic’s largest national projects, bringing Egypt closer to realizing its long-standing dream of operating its own peaceful nuclear power plant. The El-Dabaa NPP is one of the country’s most significant national projects, embodying the objectives of Egypt Vision 2030 by supporting comprehensive development and reinforcing Egypt’s regional and international standing under the slogan: ‘Energy That Builds the Future,'”
He also added that Egypt and Russia have collaborated on major infrastructure projects since the mid-20th century, including the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s, and that this partnership continues today through Egypt’s first nuclear power plant project.
Director General of Rosatom State Corporation Alexey Likhachev commented: “Construction of the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is progressing at an excellent pace. Just seven months ago, we installed the reactor pressure vessel at Unit 1, and today we are carrying out the same operation at Unit 2. This is a significant milestone not only for the unit itself but for the entire project. It enables us to move on to the next key stage—the welding of the main coolant pipeline.”
The reactor pressure vessel is the core component of the reactor system. It houses the reactor core, where the controlled nuclear fission chain reaction takes place. Designed to withstand extremely high temperatures and pressure while maintaining complete containment, it plays a critical role in ensuring the unit’s safety and reliability.
During the installation operation, the reactor pressure vessel, weighing more than 340 tonnes, was placed at the center of the reactor shaft using a 1,350-tonne heavy crawler crane. The installation was carried out with an accuracy of one-tenth of a millimeter.
The next major construction milestone at Unit 2 will be the start of welding the Main Coolant Pipeline (MCP).
Installation of the reactor pressure vessel is one of the most significant milestones in nuclear power plant construction. Once this stage is completed, the countdown begins toward the plant’s physical start-up, when nuclear fuel is loaded into the reactor for the first time.
Background
The El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is Egypt’s first nuclear power plant. It is being built in the city of El-Dabaa in Matrouh Governorate on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Cairo.
The plant will comprise four power units, each with a capacity of 1,200 MW, equipped with Russian-designed Generation III+ VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors. This advanced reactor technology has already been successfully deployed at reference nuclear power plants.
The El-Dabaa NPP is being constructed under a package of contracts that entered into force on 11 December 2017. Under these agreements, the Russian side will not only build the nuclear power plant but will also:
Supply nuclear fuel throughout the plant’s entire operating lifetime;
Support the training of Egyptian operating personnel;
Provide technical assistance during the plant’s first ten years of operation and maintenance;
Construct dedicated spent nuclear fuel storage facilities and supply specialized storage containers under a separate contract.
About Rosatom Engineering Division
Russia continues to strengthen its international trade and economic partnerships, with particular emphasis on cooperation with friendly countries. Major international energy projects remain a key priority, and Rosatom and its enterprises play an active role in advancing this agenda.
Additional Information
In November 2025, Rosatom State Corporation and Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity signed a Comprehensive Cooperation Program. The agreement establishes a framework for expanding bilateral cooperation and opens new avenues for joint projects. It is designed to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries by promoting economic cooperation, expanding collaboration between specialized organizations, encouraging scientific and technical exchange, and creating a sustainable platform for long-term partnership. The initiative also aims to support the development of future projects and contribute to the comprehensive growth of key sectors of Egypt’s economy.
Rosatom’s Engineering Division brings together the nuclear industry’s leading companies, including Atomstroyexport (ASE) JSC, Atomenergoproekt JSC, and their specialized design institutes, construction subsidiaries, and international branches.
The Engineering Division ranks first globally in both the size of its order portfolio and the number of nuclear power plants under simultaneous construction worldwide.
Approximately 80% of the Division’s revenue comes from international projects.
The Division delivers large-scale nuclear power plant projects in Russia and abroad, providing the full range of EPC, EP, and EPC(M) services, including project management and engineering design. It also develops and applies Multi-D digital technologies for managing complex engineering facilities.
Building on the achievements of the Russian nuclear industry and state-of-the-art technologies, the Engineering Division constructs reliable and safe Generation III+ VVER nuclear power plants that fully comply with international standards and recommendations.
