Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, met with Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, and Andrei Petrov, First Deputy Director General of the Corporation and Chair of Atomstroyexport—the company implementing the Dabaa nuclear power plant project—on the sidelines of the Nuclear Summit and World Nuclear Week in Moscow. The meeting was attended by Hamdy Shaaban, Egypt's Ambassador to Russia; Sherif Helmy, Chair of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority; and Ahmed Farghal, Head of the Executive Body for Supervision of Nuclear Projects, along with project officials from both the Egyptian and Russian sides. Discussions focused on project progress, updates on the four nuclear units, and cooperation on localisation efforts. Officials confirmed that work on all units is proceeding in line with the project's overall timeline and schedules. Preparations are also underway to receive the reactor pressure vessel for the first unit at the Dabaa site. Talks covered cooperation in scientific and technological research, training, human capacity building, technology transfer, and industry localisation. Both sides emphasised that continuous coordination and integration between Egyptian and Russian teams remain key to achieving the project's objectives. The meeting also addressed increasing the share of local manufacturing. The onsite manufacturing departments at the Dabaa plant were highlighted as central to the project, with work already underway on components of the internal containment vessel for the reactor building—one of the project's most critical engineering elements—alongside local production of other main components. Partnerships with domestic institutions are also advancing the localisation of electrical equipment manufacturing. Esmat stressed that localising the production of systems, equipment, and electrical components is a cornerstone of Egypt's peaceful nuclear energy programme. He noted that the ministry's energy strategy is built on a diversified mix of electricity sources, with an emphasis on clean energy to reduce fuel consumption and curb carbon emissions. He further highlighted Egypt's position among leading countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, underscoring its role in advancing scientific, industrial, and agricultural development, and in supporting sustainable growth. Esmat pointed to the importance of the Dabaa project in ensuring the stability and continuity of the national grid and improving service quality. He also praised the historic and close relations between Egypt and Russia, emphasising the value of ongoing training and requalification programmes—both locally and abroad—for preparing skilled cadres within Egypt's nuclear energy framework.
