In comparison to a gas (443 g) or coal (960 g) power plant, nuclear reactors emit less carbon dioxide (66 g) per kWh generated. Although there are still safety issues, this characteristic supports the usage of it to replace fossil fuels.

The development of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant received the go-ahead last week from Egypt's Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mohamed Shaker, who was joined by Alexey Likhachev, Director General of the Russian corporation Rosatom.

This is Egypt's first nuclear power facility. It will be constructed at El-Dabaa, the city from which it gets its name. The plant will use VVER-1200 reactors, one of the most effective and secure technologies now available, to power its four units, each of which will have a producing capacity equal to 1,200 MW.

Egypt and Russia, represented by state-owned Rosatom, inked contracts for the building of the nuclear power station in 2017. Rosatom will build the nuclear power plant and provide Russian nuclear fuel for its full life cycle.

According to Alexey Likhachev, Unit 1 of the El-Dabaa nuclear power station has begun construction, signaling Egypt's entry into the nuclear club.

As Egypt is ready to host the 27th International Climate Conference (COP27) in November 2022, the launch takes place. Under the leadership of its president, the nation has increased collaborations and agreements since the beginning of the year to realize its potential in renewable energy and green hydrogen.

However, on the eve of this occasion, fossil fuels, particularly gas, oil, and coal, continue to dominate the nation's energy mix. By concentrating on civil nuclear power, which produces very minimal CO2 emissions, the nation may achieve its objectives for decarbonizing its energy sector.

Egypt will join South Africa as the only other African nation generating energy from nuclear facilities if the El-Dabaa nuclear power project starts operating. Although there are other African nations who are thinking about building nuclear power facilities, the technical, technological, and security obstacles are still too big.

 

Ch_Tah

© Photos Credits : Assystem

 

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