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Egypt responded to what was published by the American newspaper "Politico" regarding the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant project, confirming that the claims in the report about the existence of technical problems or safety concerns do not reflect the reality of the technical and regulatory procedures applied within the project.

The Nuclear Power Plants Authority stated in a statement issued this evening (Monday) that the El-Dabaa project is subject to a multi-level regulatory system, under the supervision of the relevant Egyptian authorities and in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, rejecting what it described as "the inaccurate and unbalanced picture" presented by the report.

Egyptian-Russian Response

The authority clarified that the journalist who prepared the "Politico" report sent a request for comment to the authority and the Russian general contractor before publishing the material, noting that a review of the report's content showed, from its perspective, a lack of balance and objectivity.

It added that the Russian side provided a detailed response based on what it described as facts to counter the claims made in the report.

The El-Dabaa station is being implemented under the government agreements signed between Egypt and Russia, and the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract concluded with the Nuclear Power Plants Authority, while the work is subject to oversight by the relevant authorities, primarily the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority.

25,000 Specialists

The authority confirmed that El-Dabaa is currently the largest nuclear power plant construction project in the world, pointing out that the size of the project and the complexity of its engineering works necessitate the application of a precise quality control system.

About 25,000 specialists from the general contractor, companies, subcontractors, design institutes, and government regulatory bodies are participating in the implementation of the project.

It emphasized that the emergence of technical observations or non-conformities during the execution of a project of this size is a normal and expected occurrence, explaining that all observations are subject to corrective actions and continuous inspections, and no construction phase is approved before completing the necessary technical processing and tests.

It noted the application of "Non-Conformance Report" (NCR) procedures to address any engineering observations early, especially those related to concrete works.

Strict Safety System

In response to the concerns raised about safety, the authority confirmed that safety assessments in nuclear projects are not based on visual observations or personal estimates, but rather on a comprehensive system that includes risk assessments, work permits, lifting plans, equipment approvals, and continuous regulatory supervision.

It also confirmed the application of a comprehensive system for industrial safety, occupational health, safety culture, and construction quality, with documentation of events that require recording according to approved procedures.

The security system on site includes strict rules to regulate the movement of individuals and vehicles, and immediate handling of any attempts to bypass entry permits, unauthorized photography, or the introduction of materials contrary to instructions.

IAEA Commendation

The authority relied on several international assessments to affirm the safety of the regulatory framework for the project, referring to the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR 2019) mission from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which praised Egypt's readiness and institutional framework to implement its nuclear program.

It also cited statements from the agency's Director General Rafael Grossi during the installation of the reactor pressure vessels in the first and second units, where he emphasized the importance of institutional capacities in safety, security, and safeguards, and praised the cooperation between Egypt and the agency.

In June 2026, the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission from the agency completed its work in Egypt after reviewing the Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority and the El-Dabaa plant site.

According to the authority, the mission concluded that Egypt possesses a comprehensive regulatory and oversight framework for the safety of nuclear and radiological facilities, and praised the readiness and efficiency of the national regulatory body in supervising the project's activities.

Main Equipment Arrives at El-Dabaa

In an indication of the continued progress of the works, the authority announced the arrival of long-term equipment at the El-Dabaa site, including four steam generators for the first nuclear unit, along with the pressurizer, with preparations underway to begin installing this main equipment before the end of the current year.

It confirmed that construction works are ongoing according to the specified schedule and under the supervision of the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Third Generation Reactors

The El-Dabaa plant relies on advanced third-generation reactors (Generation III+), which the authority claims are among the latest safety and operational efficiency technologies.

The design is based on the concept of "defense in depth," through multiple barriers and passive safety systems that can operate relying on natural phenomena, including gravity, without depending on electricity for some safety functions.

The Russian design also includes a "core catcher" to contain the reactor core and high-radioactivity materials in the event of a severe accident, in addition to a double-walled containment vessel designed, according to the authority, to withstand the impact of a heavy commercial aircraft weighing up to 400 tons at a speed of 150 meters per second.

The plant is also designed to withstand earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and winds.

Continuous Achievements

The project has witnessed several key phases recently, the most notable being the installation of the reactor pressure vessel for the first unit in November 2025, followed by the second unit in July 2026, in the presence of Egyptian and Russian officials and international figures concerned with the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

In conclusion, the Nuclear Power Plants Authority called for a distinction between confirmed technical information and unverified claims, emphasizing that the safety assessment of a nuclear project of this size cannot be based on impressions or fragmented information, but rather on a comprehensive technical and regulatory system that governs all stages of implementation.