Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin witnessed – via video conference – the ceremony of pouring concrete for the base of the fourth electricity unit at the Dabaa nuclear power plant on Tuesday.
In his speech, President Al-Sisi emphasized that the global energy crisis confirms the importance of the strategic decision by the Egyptian state to revive the peaceful nuclear program for electricity production.
He said that the nuclear program provides safe, cheap, and long-term energy supplies, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and avoids price fluctuations.
He added that the concrete pouring marks another milestone in the close cooperation between Egypt and the Russian Federation and a new chapter in the history of joint achievements.
“What is happening reflects the efforts of both sides to implement Egypt’s national project, with the construction of the nuclear plant in Dabaa, which is proceeding faster than the planned timeline, overcoming all difficulties,” President Al-Sisi said.
He also said that the current situation in the energy sector in Egypt requires special measures to revive the peaceful nuclear program, as it guarantees energy supplies to lower the prices, creates a balance in the energy field for Egypt, and meets the needs of energy, economic and social development, and accesses other renewable sources to combat climate change.
The concrete pouring project allows the Egyptian state to start the next stage in the construction of the nuclear plant, Al-Sisi concluded.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Dabaa nuclear plant will have a positive impact on the Egyptian economy. He said that it is one of the most important joint projects between Egypt and Russia and that Egypt is a close friend and a strategic partner.
He mentioned that there is cooperation with Egypt in food and the development of the industrial zone near the Suez Canal.
He also said that there is a great agreement in developing cooperation with Egypt through its accession to the BRICS group, as Russia supported Egypt in joining the group, and hoped that Egypt would participate in more than 200 events within the BRICS group.
Putin said that in the last century, Russian specialists helped Egypt with advanced projects such as the High Dam, and many companies that are still operating and benefiting the Egyptian people. He said that the cooperation between the two countries is ongoing and developing.
He stressed that the Dabaa plant consists of four units, which will provide 4,200 megawatts per year, that this is a large amount of electric energy, and that this plant has no emissions and is environmentally friendly.
President Putin said that his country has prepared competent cadres, trained 90 Egyptian students in this field, and is providing assistance to Egyptian friends, including nuclear fuel and nuclear waste management.
He said that the relations between the two countries are based on equality and mutual respect under the multi-strategic partnership and cooperation agreement signed in 2018.
Putin said that last year the trade exchange increased by more than 20% and that there are many projects in the fields of energy, agriculture, and food being completed between the two countries.
He concluded: “The Egyptian economy has got a new industry, which is nuclear energy.”
