# Egypt-Russia El-Dabaa nuclear plant expansion talks

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/egypt-russia-el-dabaa-nuclear-plant-development
> Updated: 2026-08-27T12:05:18.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

Egypt is exploring a significant expansion of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant project. While the original plan involves four Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors totaling 4.8GW, Electricity and Renewable Energy Minister Mahmoud Esmat has indicated discussions with Russia’s Rosatom to potentially add at least two more units. This could increase total capacity to 7.2GW, though some reports suggest the country is studying an expansion of up to eight reactors, which would reach 9.6GW by 2040.

On-site construction is currently underway, with the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) reporting the start of the fifth tier installation for the first unit’s reactor building inner containment. South Korea remains a critical partner, providing technical and financial support for conventional infrastructure to help Egypt integrate Western-linked technology and mitigate risks from international sanctions on Russian firms.

During an official visit to Russia, Minister Esmat met with Rosatom leadership to advance several strategic energy and industrial projects. Discussions regarding the proposed large-capacity seawater desalination plant at the El Dabaa site have reached a “practical stage,” according to Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev. 

Furthering efforts to diversify the energy mix, Minister Esmat recently inspected a Rosatom factory specializing in the manufacturing and assembly of small nuclear reactors. The visit focused on exploring small modular reactor technologies, with a specific emphasis on technology transfer and the localization of related industries in Egypt. This initiative aims to encourage Egyptian companies to participate in supply chains to establish a specialized national industrial base in advanced nuclear technologies.

## Claims

- The seawater desalination project is intended to provide water for the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and support regional development. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Egypt seeks to localize the manufacturing of components and equipment for seawater desalination projects. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The desalination project includes plans to extract and utilize salts and minerals from the process. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Egypt and Russia are discussing cooperation regarding small nuclear reactor technologies. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Rosatom will continue to support the implementation of the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project. (single source)
- Rosatom is discussing the timeline, financial matters, and organizational model for a large-capacity desalination plant at the El Dabaa site. (single source)
- Egypt is exploring the localization of Rosatom's 3D printing technologies to support engineering and energy sectors. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-27: Egypt's Electricity Minister visits Rosatom to discuss small nuclear reactor technology

Egyptian Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat visited a Rosatom factory in Russia to discuss small nuclear reactor technology transfer and the localization of nuclear industries in Egypt.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egypts-electricity-minister-visits-rosatom-to-discuss-small-nuclear-reactor-technology

### 2026-08-25: Egypt and Rosatom discuss desalination and nuclear technology cooperation

Egypt and Russia are discussing the implementation of a large-scale desalination plant at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, alongside cooperation on 3D printing and small nuclear reactor technologies.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egypt-plans-expansion-of-el-dabaa-nuclear-plant-and-desalination-project

### 2026-08-16: Egypt considers expanding El-Dabaa nuclear plant with two additional reactors

Egypt plans to discuss adding two more reactors to the El-Dabaa nuclear plant with Russia's Rosatom, potentially raising total capacity to 7.2GW to meet rising energy demands.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/egypt-considers-expanding-el-dabaa-nuclear-plant-with-two-additional-reactors

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Cite as: Egypt-Russia El-Dabaa nuclear plant expansion talks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/egypt-russia-el-dabaa-nuclear-plant-development