Egypt plans two additional reactors for El-Dabaa nuclear plant
Egypt’s planned expansion would raise capacity of its first nuclear facility beyond four reactors currently under construction
CAIRO, Egypt (MNTV) — Egypt plans to expand the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant by adding two reactors to its existing four-unit configuration, Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat told the local media.
Esmat said the expansion plan was adopted following instructions from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, with Egypt and Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom expected to discuss the proposed additional units.
The minister said the El-Dabaa site has sufficient space to accommodate more reactors but did not provide a timetable for talks or confirm whether a final construction decision had been reached.
The Mediterranean coast facility is currently being developed with four VVER-1200 Generation III+ pressurized-water reactors, each designed to generate 1,200 megawatts. Together, the four units will provide about 4.8 gigawatts of generating capacity.
Esmat said the existing four reactors are expected to be completed by fiscal year 2029/2030 as Egypt works to increase nuclear power’s contribution to its electricity system and strengthen the reliability of supply.
Rosatom is constructing the plant under a nuclear cooperation agreement signed with Egypt in 2015. The project is estimated to cost about $30 billion, with Russia providing 85 percent of the financing through a state export loan and Egypt covering the remaining 15 percent over several decades.
The El-Dabaa project is Egypt’s first nuclear power facility and is among the largest civilian nuclear projects currently under construction worldwide.
Construction of the plant has advanced with the installation of its second reactor unit in July, following the installation of the first unit in November 2025.
The government says nuclear generation will help reduce Egypt’s dependence on fossil fuels while providing a stable source of electricity as domestic demand continues to rise. Esmat said the project could save around 8 million cubic metres of natural gas for use in the national electricity grid.
Fossil fuels, however, will continue to play a role in Egypt’s electricity system, according to the minister.
Esmat said Egypt is also pursuing renewable energy projects to reduce its reliance on conventional fuels, generators and diesel in rural and agricultural areas. The ministry plans to deploy stand-alone solar systems equipped with batteries to supply electricity to local communities.
The government also plans to develop renewable energy and storage capacity, including about 5 gigawatts from solar power, 4 gigawatts from wind power and 8 gigawatts from battery energy storage.
The initiatives form part of Egypt’s broader strategy to expand nuclear and renewable energy while increasing the share of new and renewable sources in electricity generation to 45 percent by 2028.
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