South Korea expands role in Egypt's Russian-led nuclear project

South Korea is playing an increasingly significant role in Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant project, a venture primarily led by Russia’s Rosatom. This involvement is helping Egypt navigate Western sanctions imposed on Russian businesses following the invasion of Ukraine.

By participating in the project, South Korean companies provide access to technology and expertise integrated with Western supply chains. This arrangement allows Russia to maintain control over the nuclear technology while South Korean firms, such as Doosan Enerbility, manage substantial portions of the conventional electricity-generation infrastructure, including control systems, turbines, and water treatment. South Korean businesses have also assumed tasks previously assigned to US-based General Electric, which halted its engagement following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Egyptian Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat indicated that the government is considering expanding the site. While the current plan involves four Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors with a 4.8 gigawatt capacity, officials are studying the addition of at least two more units, with the potential to expand the complex to six or eight reactors.