Egypt Clarifies Safety Concerns over Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant: Project Implemented in Accordance with International Nuclear Safety Standards

The Egyptian Cabinet Media Center recently issued a statement responding to questions regarding the application of safety standards during the implementation of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project. The statement said that the circulating content failed to accurately and balancedly reflect the actual situation of the project, and directly extrapolated certain engineering observations into issues of project safety and implementation efficiency, lacking the necessary technical and regulatory context.

The Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority stated that the construction of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is proceeding in accordance with international nuclear safety standards, with all civil, engineering, and installation works executed in compliance with international quality requirements and subject to continuous inspections by the Authority's monitoring and supervision teams. Relevant works may only enter the implementation phase after completing regulatory procedures and obtaining the necessary approvals from the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority.

Regarding potential technical observations or procedural non-conformities during construction, the Authority stated that issues, particularly those related to concrete pouring, will be addressed at an early stage through the Non-Conformance Report (NCR) mechanism. Any construction phase may only receive approval or acceptance after completing approved technical dispositions and passing hydraulic and structural tests.

The Authority emphasized that nuclear engineering safety is not determined by individual judgment or on-site visual inspection, but is managed through a comprehensive system encompassing risk assessment, work permits, lifting plans, equipment approval, and continuous regulatory oversight. All critical lifting operations require review and approval of relevant documents and procedures before commencement. The project has also established a management system covering industrial safety, occupational health, safety culture, and construction quality.

The statement also mentioned that the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant involves the participation of Russian general contractor Atomstroyexport, and both parties track, audit, and resolve technical or procedural issues in accordance with contractual and regulatory requirements, ensuring facility quality and safety before proceeding to subsequent stages.

Regarding technical design, the Egyptian side stated that the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant adopts advanced Generation III+ (III+) pressurized water reactor technology, designed in compliance with relevant International Atomic Energy Agency standards. This technology applies the "defense-in-depth" concept, enhancing safety through multiple barriers and passive safety systems; certain safety systems can operate using natural phenomena such as gravity without relying on external power. The reactor design also includes a core catcher for containing the core and highly radioactive materials under severe accident conditions.

The Egyptian side stated that the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant reactors are equipped with double containment structures designed to withstand heavy commercial aircraft impact, and possess the capability to withstand external events such as tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, and strong winds.

At the regulatory level, the statement said that the safety of the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is not assessed by a single party, nor does it rely solely on project owner data, but is subject to continuous licensing, inspection, and assessment by an independent national regulatory system. The Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority is responsible for independent regulation of nuclear and radiological activities and for verifying that the project meets safety requirements. Following the completion of the International Atomic Energy Agency Integrated Regulatory Review Service mission in Egypt in June 2026, it was concluded that Egypt has established a comprehensive and robust regulatory framework for the safety of nuclear and radioactive facilities.

The Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is located in the Dabaa area of Matrouh Governorate, Egypt, with plans to build 4 units with a single-unit capacity of 1,200 MW each, totaling 4,800 MW of installed capacity, adopting Russian advanced Generation III pressurized water reactor technology. The project contract also includes nuclear fuel supply, spent fuel management, and training of Egyptian personnel. The Egyptian side stated that the project has recently received large equipment including 4 steam generators and 1 pressurizer for Unit 1, with relevant installation work planned to proceed in accordance with the project schedule.