Egypt pushes ahead with Dabaa nuclear plant as leaked documents raise safety concerns

Egypt continues construction of the Dabaa nuclear power plant on the Mediterranean coast, engaging in talks with Russian company Rosatom in Nizhny Novgorod. Despite international scrutiny over alleged construction issues and safety concerns, Egyptian and Russian officials reaffirmed their commitment to the project's schedule and standards.

Minister Mahmoud Esmat met with Rosatom's director general, Alexey Likhachev, to review the plant's progress and discuss timelines. The ministry emphasized that the project is crucial for diversifying Egypt's energy mix and enhancing energy security. They also explored the potential use of small modular reactors in the future. Leaked documents revealed concerns about construction defects and safety culture at Dabaa, including voids behind metal liner work, faulty foundation slabs, and wall structure flaws in Unit 4.

However, Egyptian officials stated that such issues are common on large-scale projects and that the plant remains under construction with no radiological incidents reported. Rosatom denied the allegations, asserting that they have been addressed according to contractual, technical, and supervisory procedures. The European Commission, aware of the documents, emphasized nuclear safety as a priority for the bloc.