Reactor pressure vessel for Unit 1 is delivered to El-Dabaa NPP construction site in Egypt

On October 21, the reactor pressure vessel for Unit 1 was delivered to the El-Dabaa NPP construction site in the Arab Republic of Egypt (the general designer and general contractor is Engineering Division of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom).
The reactor pressure vessel is a key element of the nuclear power plant, inside of which the core is located and the controlled nuclear fusion chain reaction takes place in the fuel. It ensures leak-tightness, can endure high pressure and temperature, and is integral to the safety and reliability of the power unit.
The equipment was manufactured at Izhora plant of Mechanical Engineering Division of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom and weighs over 330 tons. The personnel of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority of Egypt, the owner and future operator of El-Dabaa NPP, attended control points during the manufacturing of the reactor pressure vessel to ensure compliance with quality assurance and processes.
The reactor pressure vessel was transported by a sea vessel that left the port of St. Petersburg on October 1 and covered the distance to the construction site in 20 days.
“The reactor pressure vessel for Unit 1 of El-Dabaa NPP was delivered to the construction site via the docking facility constructed by the Egyptian Party to receive large and oversized equipment for the El-Dabaa NPP. The reactor pressure vessel is scheduled to be installed in Unit 1 mid-November and our teams are working relentlessly towards the achievement of this key project milestone” – stated Dr. Sherif Helmy, Board Chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority.
“Today we have witnessed an important milestone in the implementation of El-Dabaa NPP construction project: delivery of the reactor pressure vessel to the construction site. The result achieved reflects efficient cooperation of our international team. We are now standing at the threshold of the main production event of the year, which is installation of the reactor pressure vessel of Unit 1 in its design position. The entire team is united by a common goal, mobilized and result-oriented”, noted Alexey Kononenko, Atomstroyexport JSC Vice President – Director for El-Dabaa NPP Construction Project.
Information about El-Dabaa NPP project
The El-Dabaa NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt, which is being built in the city of El-Dabaa (Matrouh province) on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 km North-West of Cairo. The NPP consists of four 1200 MW power units equipped with Russian VVER-1200 pressurized water reactors of the latest third generation. These reactors are state-of-the art technologies that have been successfully operated at reference NPPs.
The El-Dabaa NPP is being constructed in accordance with the package of contracts, which entered into force on December 11, 2017. In accordance with the contractual obligations, the Russian Party will not only construct the NPP but will also supply nuclear fuel for the operating life of the NPP and will provide assistance to the Egyptian partners in training of the personnel at the operation and maintenance stages during the first 10 years of NPP operation. Besides, under a separate agreement, the Russian Party will build special storages and will supply special containers for storing spent nuclear fuel.