What’s Happening
Egypt has announced they have began construction on the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, in cooperation with Russia’s State Nuclear Energy company Rosatom. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated that Russia and Egypt relations are on “a new brilliant page”.
The construction of the nuclear plant marks Egypt’s first nuclear plant, and only the second one constructed in Africa. Presently, the only active plant is in South Africa, 30km north of Cape Town.
El-Sisi stated that Egypt was reviving their “peaceful nuclear program” due to rising energy issues with fossil fuels, in particular supply chain problems and what he called an energy “crisis”.
“It contributes in providing safe, cheap and sustainable energy that helps in reducing our dependency on fossil fuel and avoiding the fluctuation in its prices” -President El-Sisi
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President El-Sisi held a video call during the foundation laying ceremony for the Nuclear Plant. Putin stated that Russia “will contribute to the creation of modern industries, qualified jobs, and the solution of social issues. We will do this together, since the new energy system allows us to do all this. This is truly a flagship project in the best traditions of our bilateral cooperation”.
Putin added that him and El-Sisi were in “constant contact”.
“In particular, we exchange opinions and coordinate stances in connection with the tragic development of the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict” -President Putin
Notably, Putin also expressed his support for Egypt to become a full member of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), an intergovernmental organization which is quickly expanding.