Work has begun to install the first tier of the inner containment (VZO - Vnutrennei Zatsitnoi Obolochki) for unit 1 of the El Dabaa NPP under construction in Egypt by specialists from general contractor Atomstroyexport (ASE - part of Rosatom). The VZO is a cylindrical structure of reinforced concrete with a hemispherical dome, which houses the nuclear reactor and the equipment of the primary circuit of the nuclear plant. It plays a pivotal role in preventing any radioactive material from leaking into the surrounding environment.
The first tier of the VZO comprises 12 segments, each weighing 60-80 tonnes. It will be installed in four stages. ASE specialists under the supervision and with the cooperation of engineers and specialists of Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) have so far installed the first three segments.
Dr Mohammed Dawidar, El Dabaa project manager for the El Dabaa NPP noted the continuous cooperation between the Egyptian NPPA and ASE. “We are looking forward to the successful completion of the work related to the subsequent phases scheduled for implementation this year," he said.
ASE Vice President Alexey Kononenko project manager for NPP construction, said installation of the internal containment vessel is planned to be completed in 2024. He acknowledged “the hard work of the teams from both the Egyptian and Russian sides in a climate of cooperation, stability and mutual understanding”.
El Dabaa NPP will comprise four units with generation III+ VVER-1200 pressurised water reactors. The NPP is being constructed in accordance with contracts that entered into force in 2017. The $30bn project is mainly financed through a $25bn Russian loan. Rosatom will supply nuclear fuel throughout the lifecycle of the plant, arrange for the training of the Egyptian personnel, and assist in the operation and maintenance of the plant for the first 10 years. The reference plant for El Dabaa is the Leningrad-II NPP. Construction of all four units is planned for completion by 2028-2029 and Egypt expects that the NPP will reach full capacity by 2030.
Work is underway on all four units. First concrete for unit 1 was poured in July 2022, unit 2 in November 2022, unit 3 in May 2023 and unit 4 in January 2024. The melt trap for unit 2 was installed in November 2023 - a key element of the passive safety system for NPPs with generation III +VVER-1200 reactors. The melt trap for unit 1 was installed in October 2023.
Image: The team of specialists involved in the construction of El Dabaa 1's inner containment vessel (courtesy of Rosatom)
