- First nuclear unit scheduled to connect to the grid in 2028 with full operation expected by 2030.
- Plant to supply 10 percent of national electricity demand and reduce exposure to volatile gas markets.
- Heavy reliance on Russian financing raises geopolitical and delivery risks.
Russia state owned nuclear corporation Rosatom is moving ahead with the construction of Egypt first nuclear power station at El Dabaa on the Mediterranean coast, with recent updates indicating steady progress despite earlier pandemic related delays.
The El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will comprise four VVER 1200 Generation III plus reactors with a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate around 37 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually, covering approximately 10 percent of Egypt total power demand.
Egypt electricity mix is currently dominated by natural gas, which accounts for more than 80 percent of generation. This dependence has exposed the country to international price volatility driven by global economic instability, the war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza. Officials view nuclear power as a strategic hedge that can stabilise long term supply and costs.
According to Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli, the nuclear project will save Egypt an estimated 3 billion dollars per year in fuel imports. The country currently spends about 8 billion dollars annually on gas purchases to meet the needs of its population of more than 110 million people and its expanding industrial base.
Construction began with first concrete poured for Unit One in July 2022, followed by Unit Two in November 2022, Unit Three in May 2023 and Unit Four in January 2024. As of late 2025, the project was reported to be around 33 percent complete, employing more than 25,000 workers on site. A key milestone was reached in November 2025 with the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for Unit One.
While initial projections targeted a 2026 grid connection for the first reactor, the timeline was revised to 2028 due to COVID 19 disruptions and logistical challenges. More recent assessments suggest construction is progressing in line with revised post pandemic schedules, with some activities completed ahead of plan.
The total project cost is estimated at between 28.75 billion and 30 billion dollars. Russia is financing approximately 85 percent of this amount through a 25-billion-dollar state loan, underscoring Moscow central role in delivering the project.
This heavy dependence on Russian financing and expertise has raised concerns among some Egyptian analysts and industry observers. They warn that tightening Western sanctions on Russia and the prolonged war in Ukraine could disrupt equipment deliveries, technical support and financing flows. Any future sanctions directly targeting Rosatom could pose serious risks to project execution.
Despite these uncertainties, El Dabaa remains a cornerstone of Egypt long term energy strategy. For now, the officially accepted timeline points to the first reactors coming online in 2028, with all four units fully operational by 2030, marking a significant shift in the country power generation landscape.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
