A snap shot of the ceremony.
Speaking during the ceremony, President El-Sisi said the El-Dabaa project shows that cooperation between Egypt and Russia extends beyond politics to major development projects that benefit both nations.
He highlighted that in a world facing several crises and rising fuel prices, Egypt’s pursuit of peaceful nuclear energy reflects strategic foresight, ensuring stable, secure, and long-term electricity generation.
El-Sisi added that the project supports the development of local talent, preparing generations of Egyptian specialists in nuclear energy and advanced sciences, creating thousands of job opportunities, and positioning Egypt as a regional leader in peaceful nuclear technology.
He expressed gratitude to President Putin and to all Egyptian and Russian engineers and workers involved in the project, noting that their collective efforts made this historic moment possible.
El-Sisi urged all partners to continue working diligently and uphold the highest technical standards to ensure the success of Egypt's nuclear programme, calling this milestone "the first page in the history of nuclear energy" for the country and a long-awaited dream realized through the dedication of all involved.
He stressed that Egypt-Russia relations remain strategic, stable, and based on mutual respect and long-term interests.
Despite regional challenges, he said, today’s achievement reflects decades of bilateral cooperation with Russia, from the High Dam to the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.
For his part, President Putin praised the progress at El-Dabaa and highlighted the project’s strategic importance as a flagship of Russian-Egyptian cooperation.
He credited the Egyptian leadership, saying, “The Egyptian president was the one who took the initiative on the El-Dabaa nuclear project.”
Putin described the moment as a great honour for Russia, noting that the first unit will produce 460 megawatts, increasing Egypt's energy capacity by nearly 35,000 kilowatts.
He said the project opens new horizons for cooperation between the two countries and reaffirmed Russia's full support for completing all four units of the plant.
Rosatom Director-General Alexey Likhachev also congratulated President El-Sisi and praised the depth of Egypt-Russia cooperation, reaffirming Rosatom’s commitment to delivering the plant to the highest global standards.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi, who also attended the ceremony, described the installation as one of the most significant events in Egypt, noting that El-Dabaa is the country’s largest nuclear project and a major national megaproject.
He emphasized that investing in nuclear energy marks a global shift toward clean, low-emission power sources and confirmed that the IAEA has positively assessed the plant’s construction and installation phases.
Egyptian Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Esmat said the nation had long dreamed of building a nuclear power plant and thanked President El-Sisi for realizing the project.
He explained that El-Dabaa is among the world’s largest nuclear stations, with four units totalling about 4,800 megawatts.
Esmat also highlighted the strong Egypt-Russia cooperation and described the milestone as proof of the partners’ tireless efforts, noting that Egypt is reviving its scientific heritage while advancing a forward-looking vision based on advanced technology.
The ceremony also included the signing of the nuclear fuel purchase order for the plant’s first unit, a key step toward commissioning and full operation.
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