Egypt Issues International Tender for Dabaa Nuclear Plant Grid Connection

Egypt has launched an international tender for a critical transmission line to connect its under-construction Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant to the national electricity grid marking a significant milestone in the countrys energy infrastructure development.

The tender involves construction of a 500 kilovolt super-voltage power line stretching 128 kilometers at an estimated cost of 4.5 billion Egyptian pounds equivalent to 86.5 million USD. The project is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2027 according to government officials.

The new transmission line represents the final component of the electrical interconnection system for the Dabaa facility which also includes two 220 kilovolt lines scheduled for completion this month. This infrastructure will enable the nuclear plant to feed electricity directly into Egypts national grid once operational.

Located in Matrouh Governorate on the Mediterranean coast near El Alamein the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant comprises four third-generation Russian VVER-1200 reactors each with a capacity of 1200 megawatts. The facility will have a total generating capacity of 4800MW making it one of the most significant additions to Egypts electricity system in decades.

When fully operational the plant is projected to meet approximately 12 percent of the countrys electricity needs by 2030 and supply nearly seven percent of national electricity from 2026. The nuclear facility will also reduce Egypts natural gas consumption by at least 7 billion cubic meters annually providing substantial economic benefits.

The power plant is being constructed by Russias state nuclear corporation Rosatom under a 25 billion USD Russian loan agreement signed in 2015. The first reactor unit is scheduled to enter service by the end of 2025 with subsequent units coming online through 2027.

The transmission project illustrates the broader challenge facing countries investing in new generation capacity where power infrastructure must be upgraded to efficiently transport electricity to consumers and markets. For Egypt this 4.5 billion Egyptian pound investment represents both a grid upgrade and a strategic investment in future energy competitiveness.

The Dabaa site has been identified as suitable for up to eight reactors with the Egyptian government indicating that a second set of four units may be put out to international tender in the future. This would further cement Egypts position as a regional nuclear energy hub and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels for electricity generation.