The Ministry of Electricity and Energy has on Thursday signed the first nuclear plant consultancy contract with the Australian company 'Parsons'. The ten-year contract is for a total cost of $ 900 million. Dr. Yassin Mohamed Ibrahim, CEO of the Nuclear Plants Authority, signed on behalf of the Egyptian side, while Mr. Stuart Brady, the director of the company, signed on behalf of the Australian side. Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Nazif and Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr. Hassan Younis attended the signing of the contract.
Nazif stressed the importance of this step in the framework of the President's instructions that Egypt should begin an era of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, based on Egypt's policy to diversify energy sources so as to ensure self-sufficiency, meet the growing demands of development and turn Egypt into a regional center for all types of energy.
He said the step will improve the qualifications of the human cadres to be corresponding with such new development. Dr. Younis said the contract will be implemented over two phases. The first phase will update the Dabaa site feasibility studies in accordance with global codes and standards, prepare a safety report to get the license, prepare quality and specs procedures, technical and financial evaluation, negotiation, preparation of the contract, as well as training programs for cadres. The second phase pertains to services in building the station, which include management of the project, supervision and monitoring, forming the project team, reviewing the contractor's designs and doing all necessary tests during construction.
Dr. Younis also said the contract was prepared by a specialized international legal office after the Australian company committed to implement the full scope of the work required and to abide by all Egyptian laws. He said the company and the Nuclear Plants Authority will meet again next month to agree on the details of the work plan and the task forces of both sides. The local component of the contract is 47%; the highest that was offered. Also the company's bid was by LE 100 million lower than all the others.
