First entry into the African nuclear power plant market, showing green lights for winning more orders in Czech and Poland

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) has won an order to build a nuclear power plant in El Dabaa, Egypt.

It is the first time in 13 years since 2009 when it received an order for a large-scale project for Baraka Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2009. It is also the first order achievement since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

KHNP executives and officials pose for the camera after signing an order to build a nuclear power plant in El Dabaa, Egypt on Aug. 25.
KHNP executives and officials pose for the camera after signing an order to build a nuclear power plant in El Dabaa, Egypt on Aug. 25.

KHNP and Atomstroyexport JSC (Rosatom engineering division) have concluded a contract for the construction of turbine islands under the El-Dabaa NPP project in Egypt, the KHNP announced on Aug. 25.

Under the agreement, the Korean company will construct some 80 buildings and structures at four units of the power plant and will procure and supply equipment and materials for the turbine islands.

“The contract with Atomstroyexport JSC for the construction of the turbine islands can be seen as a significant achievement for Korea confirming our great capabilities for project construction and management that have already been demonstrated in the UAE. Building upon our experience acquired in the UAE, KHNP will do its best for the successful implementation of the El-Dabaa NPP project,” said CEO Whang Joo-ho of KHNP.

Upon the results of the consultations held in December 2021, Rosatom approved KHNP as a sole bidder that was admitted to the discussions and conclusion of the contract for the planned deal, provided KHNP complied with the ASE JSC procurement requirements and the parties reaching agreement on such terms and conditions.

“Nuclear energy does not only play an important role in meeting the increasing demand for electricity and achieving carbon neutrality but it also brings nations together,” Boris Arseev, director for International Business at Rosatom said at the signing ceremony.

He added, “We at Rosatom strongly believe that nuclear cooperation must not stop in these turbulent times. On the contrary, it is of paramount importance to develop and expand it further benefitting our countries.”

Alexander Korchagin, Atomstroyexport JSC senior vice president for NPP construction project management, said, “In July, the project has entered the construction stage. The El-Dabaa NPP is an attractive project for international companies. KHNP is joining pool of qualified participants, among which are major Egyptian companies selected for construction works at the site.”

He added, “I am confident that only through well-coordinated joint work of the Russian, Egyptian and Korean teams, we will be able to successfully deliver this ambitious project.”

El-Dabaa NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt. It will be constructed in the city of El-Dabaa, Matrouh Governorate, on the Mediterranean coast, roughly 300 km north-west of Cairo.

The NPP will consist of four power units with an electrical output of 1200 MW each equipped with Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors (pressurized water reactors). This is a technology of the latest generation that already has project references and is being successfully operated.

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