Madbouly stated that the El-Dabaa site holds special
significance for all Egyptians, as it marks the location of a long-awaited
national project. The nuclear power plant has represented a collective
aspiration since the mid-20th century and has frequently appeared in state
literature and educational curricula. The core objective was to enable Egypt to
enter the nuclear era through the establishment of a power plant operating with
nuclear fuel.
He explained that the project remained confined to planning
stages for decades until political will and the determination of President
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi moved it forward. Initial and framework agreements were
signed in 2015, with the project officially entering the implementation phase
in December 2017. Since then, Egyptian and Russian teams have worked in close
coordination to bring the vision to life.
Madbouly expressed his satisfaction at witnessing the
tangible progress, confirming that the plant consists of four nuclear reactors
with a combined capacity of 4,800 megawatts. Construction is underway across
all phases according to schedule, as confirmed in the most recent meeting
between the President and Atomstroyexport, the project's general contractor.
The first unit is expected to be delivered and operational in the second half
of 2028, with the remaining three units set for 2029. The implementation
schedule is being followed closely on a continuous basis.
He highlighted that over 80 percent of the workforce at the
site consists of Egyptian personnel, with tens of thousands contributing to the
construction. He described this as a source of national pride and a testament
to the competence of Egyptian professionals.
Madbouly praised the efforts of the teams from the Nuclear
Power Plants Authority and Atomstroyexport. He emphasized the importance of
maintaining progress in line with the set timetable, as the project supports
Egypt's Vision 2030 goals and the national target to produce 42 percent of electricity
from clean and renewable sources. He extended his thanks to all parties
involved in advancing this strategic initiative.