Putin made the statements as he joined Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi via video conference to watch the pouring of the first concrete for the foundation of the fourth and final power unit of the plant.

The Dabaa plant, located in the Matrouh governorate in northwestern Egypt, is the country’s first nuclear power plant. The 4.8 GW plant is being built by Russia's state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom in collaboration with Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) and is expected to be fully operational by 2030. Rosatom was contracted in 2015 to build the plant and provide it with fuel.

The project is set to provide about 10 percent of Egypt’s energy consumption with annual production of up to 37 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

 “The implementation of [the project] will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the development of the Egyptian economy and will help strengthen its energy base,” he added.

Historic moment

Speaking in person at the ceremony, El-Sisi said the foundation laying was a “historic moment that will forever remain etched in the history and memory of our nation.”

He also hailed the project as a testament to the strong Egyptian-Russian cooperation and an addition to the milestones achieved through this collaboration throughout history.

El-Sisi said the Dabaa plant is progressing at a faster pace than planned, reflecting the significant importance that the Egyptian state attaches to the energy sector as a fundamental driver of economic growth.

El-Sisi highlighted the significance of the Egyptian peaceful nuclear programme in providing safe, cheap, and long-term energy supplies amid the crisis in global energy supplies.

“The integration of nuclear energy into Egypt's electricity production mix is of vital importance to meet the increasing demand for electricity necessary for economic and social development plans,” El-Sisi stated. 

“It also contributes to increasing reliance on new and renewable energy sources, achieving environmental sustainability, and addressing climate change.”

Alexey Likhachev, director general of Rosatom, hailed the project as the “flagship of Egyptian-Russian cooperation.” He added during the event that the Dabaa nuclear plant will help increase Egypt’s gross domestic product (GDP) by more than one percent.

Likhachev said that over 16,000 workers work daily on the construction of the Dabaa plant.

Rosatom has partnered with over 90 companies from Egypt in the construction of the plant, with 285 contracts worth over $1.2 billion, Likhachev added.

Sisi invited to BRICS summit

In his speech, Putin invited El-Sisi to attend the 2024 summit of the BRICS bloc of developing nations, which will be held under the Russian presidency in Kazan next October.

Last year, Egypt officially became a member of the BRICS bloc, which now comprises 10 countries following its expansion during the 15th BRICS summit in August.

“During the Russian chairmanship of BRICS this year, we will try to do everything possible to ensure that Egypt effectively integrates into the work of the association,” Putin noted.

The Russian president said he is in constant contact with President El-Sisi to discuss prominent international and regional issues of mutual concern. He added that he and El-Sisi coordinate positions regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.