Reactor vessel installation ceremony at power unit of El Dabaa NPP

During a reactor vessel installation ceremony at power unit of El Dabaa NPP (via videoconference).
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Vladimir Putin, together with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, participated via videoconference in a ceremony marking the installation of the reactor vessel for the first unit of Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, Kremlin informs.

Construction of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant is being carried out by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom under a Russian-Egyptian intergovernmental agreement signed in 2015. The plant will consist of four power units with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi addressed the ceremony participants with a video message.

Remarks by the President of Russia at the ceremony.

Photo: Kremlin.ru

President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr President, friends,

I warmheartedly welcome all participants of the ceremony marking the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for Unit 1 of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.

The presentations by our colleagues, as well as the video we have just seen, clearly demonstrate that the construction of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant with Russian participation is progressing confidently and successfully.

In fact, we are now entering a crucial stage in the technological outfitting of the future plant. In the foreseeable future, it will begin generating the electricity required to meet the needs of Egypt’s growing economy.

The implementation of the El Dabaa project became possible largely thanks to the personal initiative and support of our friend, President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who, as has already been noted, celebrates his birthday today. Happy birthday, Mr President, I wish you good health, prosperity, and continued success in your public service.

We are grateful for the consistent attention you devote not only to this flagship project in the field of the peaceful atom, but also to the overall expansion of diverse contacts with Russia. We fully share this approach and remain committed to a comprehensive strengthening and deepening of our partnership with friendly Egypt.

It is important that Russian-Egyptian relations are steadily developing on the basis of the Strategic Cooperation Agreement, in the spirit of equality, mutual respect, and consideration for each other’s interests. This reflects the best traditions of our interstate ties, which have been built over many decades.

Let me also recall that in the second half of the twentieth century, Soviet specialists actively contributed to the development of Egypt’s economy, helping to build major industrial, energy, and infrastructure facilities throughout the country.

Many of these joint projects, such as the Aswan Dam, the Helwan Iron and Steel Complex, and the Nag Hammadi Aluminium Plant, have become enduring symbols of our friendship and have brought, and continue to bring, tangible benefits to the Egyptian people.

It is gratifying that our bilateral cooperation continues to develop consistently. Our trade is growing steadily. It increased by slightly more than one third last year. Our industrial cooperation is growing stronger. We are working to create a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal area.

The planned launch of four power units of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 4,800 MW will substantially strengthen the energy security of Egypt. Our Generation III reactors will produce up to 37 billion kWh a year, generating approximately 10 percent of electricity in the country.

Rosatom, which is a recognised leader in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, is using cutting-edge engineering solutions and economically effective and reliable technologies for building the nuclear power plant in Egypt. At the same time, it complies with all necessary standards and environmental requirements.

Not only Russian but also Egyptian companies are taking part in the El Dabaa project. To date, about 55 percent of contract and subcontract orders have been localised in Egypt. This means that a modern high-tech nuclear industry is being created in Egypt, which includes the demand for new, including highly skilled jobs.

Russia is training nuclear engineering personnel for Egypt. Over 100 Egyptian students have received relevant education at Russian universities. In July, a special training and advanced training centre opened at the power plant with support from the Rosatom Academy.

Russia will continue to provide assistance to its Egyptian partners at all vital stages of the nuclear project. This includes long-term supplies of reactor fuel, the technical maintenance of the plant, and spent nuclear fuel management.

Rosatom is ready to share its unique technologies with Egypt, in particular, regarding the assembly of small modular reactors and the use of nuclear energy in medicine and agriculture.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Russian and Egyptian engineers employed in the construction of the El Dabaa NPP for their diligence and hard work. Your concerted efforts ensure the rapid construction of the power units and the efficient implementation of extremely complicated assembly and technological tasks.

I would like to congratulate our Egyptian colleagues on Egyptian Nuclear Energy Day.

I once again wish a happy birthday to President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and wish him nuclear success in all his endeavours.

Thank you very much. I wish you success, and all the best.

Thank you.

Photo: Kremlin.ru

President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (retranslated):

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful!

Your Excellency Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, ladies and gentlemen,

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency the President of the Russian Federation, my dear friend Vladimir Putin, for his kind participation in this historic event, the installation of the reactor vessel for the first unit, and for the signing of the agreement on the delivery of nuclear fuel for the continued implementation of our project.

I also wish to extend my appreciation to His Excellency for his support of this strategic undertaking and for his dedication to ensuring its success. My thanks likewise go to all the distinguished guests present today.

President Putin, ladies and gentlemen,

Today, we are writing a new chapter in the life of our country. Since the middle of the last century, we have awaited this turning point, and now we see it becoming a reality, thanks to hard work, perseverance, and the relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Russian Federation. These sustainable strategic relations cover a wide range of areas and are built on mutual respect and understanding despite international and regional challenges.

Today’s event continues the long-standing, fruitful cooperation between our two countries through major projects that have shaped development and progress, from the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s to the construction of the El Dabaa NPP.

These are grand national projects of immense value for Egypt. They send a powerful message: we are moving forward with confidence, overcoming all obstacles through determination and dedication in order to reach this historic moment: the implementation of this project.

This shows that our partnership is not limited to political dialogue, but is embodied in tangible, practical projects that serve the interests of both peoples, especially in the context of the global crisis and rising energy prices, and reaffirms the wisdom of the Egyptian government’s decision to revive the peaceful nuclear program, ensuring sustainable energy supplies.

In line with Egypt Vision 2030, this event confirms Egypt’s role as a regional energy hub and aligns with our efforts to achieve comprehensive development. The El Dabaa NPP represents a turning point in the localisation of knowledge and a genuine investment in our national human resources. Cooperation in training, and technology transfer will help prepare a new generation of Egyptian nuclear experts.

This positions Egypt as a leading state in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and creates thousands of direct and indirect jobs that will support Egypt’s progress and development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In conclusion, I would like once again to thank His Excellency President Putin and all those contributing to this project – the engineers and workers from both the Egyptian and Russian sides – for their dedication and outstanding efforts in achieving unprecedented standards throughout this project’s implementation.

I call on everyone to continue their work with diligence and commitment, adhering to the highest international standards, to reinforce Egypt’s status as a leading nation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy as well as to support Egypt’s development, prosperity, and bright future.

Thank you. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.

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