Egypt - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Four reactors are under construction at El-Dabaa, with construction starting on the first unit in July 2022. The first unit is due to start up by the end of 2028.
Table Eg.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactors gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Carbon dioxide emissions avoided (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4800 | 0 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
The four VVER-1200 units under construction at El Dabaa are expected to start up progressively over 2028 to 2030. In August 2026, the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity held preliminary discussions with Rosatom on the expansion of the El Dabaa site with two further VVER-1200 reactors, as well as to potentially deploy small modular reactors. These early proposals are not included in the WNOR 2050 capacity assessment for Egypt.
Table Eg.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 4800 | - | - | - | - | - | 4800 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
The four El Dabaa units are under simultaneous construction. The main project risk is execution schedule rather than commitment.
| Country Category | Newcomer |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | High Strong and durable government commitment, four-unit project fully contracted and financed, established delivery organization and evidence of intention to continue nuclear construction beyond the first four units. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | High Regulator, owner/operator, workforce development structures and waste arrangements are established. |
| Programme & Project Development Readiness | High All four reactors are under construction; major nuclear equipment is being installed and first fuel delivery is scheduled for 2027. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate-High Completing all four units by 2030 remains demanding for a first nuclear programme, but start-up of the first unit remains on track for 2028. |