Images Show Progress on El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant

While the project has no direct implications for the development of nuclear weapons, it could legitimize future attempts by Egypt to build a uranium-enrichment or nuclear-fuel-reprocessing facility. For now, this is merely a theoretical concern



Satellite images published by Egyptian journalists show the progress made in the construction of Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant. The plant, built by Russia’s Rosatom Corporation, will include four light-water reactors for electricity production.

Earlier this month, Egypt's Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) has received a site approval permit for the El Dabaa site from the Egyptian Nuclear Regulation and Radiological Authority (ENRRA). The permit acknowledges that the site and its specific conditions comply with national and international requirements, according to World Nuclear News.

Despite the nuclear context, the project has no direct implications for the development of nuclear weapons, according to an analysis by Lt. Col. (res.) Dr. Raphael Ofek published by the BESA Center. “It is, however, likely to legitimize any future attempt by Egypt to build a uranium-enrichment or nuclear-fuel-reprocessing facility. While Egypt has already gained significant experience in the nuclear field, neither its plans to develop a civilian nuclear power plant nor its efforts to develop nuclear weapons have yet borne fruit,” Ofek adds.

“The need for nuclear weapons returned to the agenda in Egypt and Saudi Arabia after the Iranian nuclear deal was struck in July 2015, though the Trump administration’s moves to stop Iran from nuclearizing have calmed the situation for now.

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/38273