Establishing a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East is the essential way to address regional security risks without discrimination, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Essmat said on Tuesday.
In a speech delivered at the second World Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris, Essmat stated that the peaceful use of atomic energy is an inherent right of all states under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. He added that Egypt is committed to full transparency in its nuclear activities under its legal obligations and comprehensive safeguards agreements.
Essmat highlighted Egypt’s role as a regional hub for nuclear security, providing training and awareness programmes for Middle Eastern and African nations. He noted that Egypt has hosted thousands of trainees from across Africa to support continental capacity building.
Regarding the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, the minister reported that the reactor pressure vessel for the first unit has been installed. He added that core catchers, which are critical safety components designed to enhance operational security during emergencies, have been installed for the third and fourth units.
“Egypt has obtained the construction permit for the spent nuclear fuel storage facility at El Dabaa,” Essmat said, noting that manufacturing of main equipment, including steam generators and turbines, is ongoing for all four units.
The minister condemned any attacks on nuclear facilities dedicated to peaceful purposes, describing such actions as a serious violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. He urged the international community to align the deployment of emerging technologies, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with the legal obligations of member states to expand access to electricity and desalination.
Essmat also noted that Egypt’s legislative environment is evolving to attract international investment, citing the new Electricity Law and incentives for green hydrogen projects. The state has allocated more than 42,000 square kilometres for energy projects and offers power purchase agreements for up to 25 years.
Egypt is evaluating the feasibility of an electrical interconnection with Europe via Greece with a capacity of up to 3,000 MW, Essmat said. He added that the inclusion of nuclear energy in the national energy mix would make such interconnections more stable and efficient for exporting clean electricity.
