On November 04, 2024, the melt localization device (“core catcher”) for Power Unit 4 arrived at the construction site of the El-Dabaa NPP in the Arab Republic of Egypt (General Designer and General Contractor being the Engineering Division of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom).
The vessel with the core catcher components left the port of Novorossiysk in October. The core catcher components were delivered ahead of schedule due to early construction readiness of Power Unit 4.
“Today we are meeting the fourth core catcher for El-Dabaa NPP. It means that very soon we will start the installation of the core catcher body at Unit 4. I would like to point out that in 2023, we installed the core catchers at Units 1 and 2, and in 2024 – at Unit 3. The installation of the core catcher at Unit 4 this year will demonstrate the stability of our process – two core catchers per year. We are successfully constructing in parallel all the four power units of the first NPP in Egypt using advance technologies and up-to-date engineering solutions. Construction of VVER-1200 power units is a familiar and well-established process for Rosatom. We have moved from single unique projects to industrial flow-line construction method,” said Alexey Kononenko, ASE JSC Vice President – Director for El-Dabaa NPP Construction Project.
Prof. Dr. Amgad El-Wakil – Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority, announced that the long-term nuclear equipment for the fourth nuclear unit will be installed in this November, coinciding with the celebration of Energy Day.
His Excellency emphasized that the reactor core catcher is a fundamental component in enhancing the plant’s safety system. It reflects the highest levels of nuclear safety, ensuring the safe and continuous operation of the El-Dabaa NPP. This unique equipment, characteristic of the Russian reactors III+, is a specialized safety system installed at the bottom of the reactor vessel to further enhance the plant’s safety and security.
“With the installation of the reactor core catcher for the fourth nuclear unit, a new achievement and another major milestone will be realized towards fulfilling the Egyptian dream of having a nuclear power plant in Egypt and the installation of the reactor core catcher for all four nuclear units at the El-Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant will be completed. This achievement is a result of God’s grace and the collaborative efforts of both the Egyptian and Russian project teams,” said Prof. Dr. Amgad El-Wakil.
Reference
The Engineering Division of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom unites the leading companies of the nuclear industry, namely: Atomstroyexport JSC (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, branches in Russia and abroad), Joint Design Institute – Atomenergoproekt JSC (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, St. Petersburg branches – design institutes, branches in Russia and abroad, R&D branches) and subsidiary construction organizations. The Engineering Division ranks first in the world by the order portfolio and the number of NPPs constructed simultaneously across the world. About 80 % of the Division’s revenues originate from foreign projects. The Engineering Division implements construction projects for high-power NPPs in Russia and across the world, renders a full range of EPC, EP, EPC(M) services including project management and design activities, and develops Multi-D technologies for the management of complex engineering facilities. The Division relies on the achievements of the Russian nuclear industry and modern cutting-edge technologies. www.ase-ec.ru
El-Dabaa NPP is the first nuclear power plant in Egypt. It is being built in the city of El-Dabaa, in the Matrouh province on the Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 km north-west from Cairo. The NPP will consist of four power units, 1200 MW each, with pressurized water reactors of Russian class VVER-1200. This is an evolutionary Gen III+ design which fully complies with all international safety requirements. El-Dabaa NPP is being constructed in accordance with the package of contracts, which entered into force on December 11, 2017. In accordance with the contractual obligations, the Russian party will not only construct the NPP but will also supply nuclear fuel for the whole life cycle of the NPP and will provide assistance to the Egyptian partners in training of the personnel at the operation and maintenance stages during the first ten years of NPP operation. Besides, under a separate agreement, the Russian party will build special storages and will supply special containers for storing spent nuclear fuel.
The total weight of the core catcher is over 700 tons and the weight of the body is 155 tons.
Russia is actively developing cooperation with all the interested countries. The implementation of major international projects is underway. Rosatom and its divisions are taking an active part in this work.
