El Dabaa Unit 2 Receives VVER-1200 Reactor Pressure Vessel
Installation of the reactor pressure vessel marks the year's most significant construction milestone at Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, clearing the way for first-circuit equipment installation. At the same time, engineering teams are deploying the plant's digital infrastructure using Russian platforms for project management and local computing networks.
The reactor pressure vessel is one of the principal components of the nuclear steam supply system. It houses the reactor core, where the controlled nuclear chain reaction takes place. The vessel maintains the integrity of the primary circuit while withstanding high pressure and temperature, ensuring the safe operation of the entire power unit.
The installed reactor pressure vessel weighs more than 340 tonnes. To position it at the center of the reactor shaft, construction teams used a 1,350-tonne crawler crane. The component was placed in its design position with an accuracy of one-tenth of a millimeter.
Installation of the reactor pressure vessel makes it possible to begin welding the main coolant pipeline. This pipeline connects the reactor to the steam generators and transfers heat away from the reactor core. The same milestone was completed at Unit 1 in early 2026.
The first nuclear fuel delivery for Unit 1 is scheduled for the first half of 2027. Fuel loading will be followed by physical startup and then power startup, culminating in the first delivery of electricity to Egypt's national grid. Egypt views the nuclear power plant as a cornerstone of its national energy strategy through 2030.
Digital Management of Construction
Construction of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant is being carried out with extensive use of digital modeling technologies. Project design and construction activities are managed through the Russian Multi-D digital platform. It integrates three-dimensional plant information models, construction schedules, cost documentation, and contractor data within a single digital environment.
This allows engineers and construction teams to work with the project in real time. The platform automatically tracks the routing of pipelines, cable systems, and structural components, helping identify design conflicts before construction begins and minimizing delays during execution.
Multi-D connects design institutes in Russia with the construction site in Egypt's Matrouh Governorate. Any changes to plant design or equipment delivery schedules are immediately reflected across the entire project team. The platform also monitors equipment logistics and tracks manufacturing progress for components produced at engineering plants. In effect, the plant's digital twin accompanies the project from its earliest design concepts through final commissioning.
Local Network for an Automated Nuclear Power Plant
Generation III+ power units equipped with VVER-1200 reactors feature a high degree of automation. Their operation requires a reliable digital environment. Accordingly, alongside civil construction activities, engineering teams are installing cable systems and server equipment.
The plant's local computing network will connect operators' automated workstations, plant information systems, and thousands of field sensors. It will collect telemetry from equipment in both the reactor and turbine buildings. Operators in the main control room will receive continuous data on temperature, pressure, and pump operating conditions.
The network architecture is being designed to meet stringent cybersecurity requirements. The segment that carries commands for the plant's ASU TP (Automated Process Control System) will be physically and logically isolated from the corporate network. This approach is intended to protect critical infrastructure from external cyber threats while ensuring uninterrupted control of the power unit.
Infrastructure and the Fuel Cycle
The El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will comprise four power units with a combined generating capacity of nearly 4.8 GW. The station is located on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Cairo. Contracts for construction of the plant were signed at the end of 2017.
In addition to building the plant, the Russian side will supply nuclear fuel throughout its entire operating lifetime. A separate agreement also provides for the construction of a dedicated spent fuel storage facility and the supply of spent fuel transport and storage casks.
Preparations for startup extend beyond the construction site. Egyptian engineers and operators are undergoing training and practical assignments at Russian nuclear power plants. Formation of the operating workforce and full-scope simulator training will be completed before commissioning of the first units. Together, the integrated approach to construction, digitalization, and workforce development establishes the foundation for the long-term operation of Egypt's nuclear power sector.
