Rosatom is installing the melt localisation device – melt trap – at unit 1 of the El-Dabaa NPP under construction in Egypt. The 700-tonne, 6.1-metre diameter melt trap (core catcher) is a key component of the VVER-1200 reactor passive safety system.

The ceremony marking the start of the installation was attended by Dr Amged El-Wakil, Board Chairman of Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA); Mohamed Ramadan, NPPA Deputy Chairman for Operations & Maintenance; , Mohammed Dviddar, Project Director El-Dabaa NPP construction at NPPA; Alexey Zhukov, First Vice President for Construction at ASE [General Constractor]; and Alexey Kononenko, ASE Vice President & Director of the El-Dabaa NPP construction project.

Dr Wakil said installation of the melt trap was a “key milestone” in the El-Dabaa project. “This is the first long-cycle equipment and was delivered to the site on 21 March. The start of installation coincides with the 50th anniversary of Victory Day… which is a historical moment for all Egyptians,” he noted. He noted that, within 14 months, the plant had achieved five major milestones including first concrete for unit 1 in July 2022, for unit 2 the following November, for unit 3 in May 2023, and delivery of the melt trap for unit 1 in March. He added that first concrete for the unit 4 was expected later this year.

Alexey Kononenko said these developments “would not have been possible without the well-coordinated professional work of the customer and the general contractor”. He added that the melt trap for unit 2 of the plant is planned for delivery and installation by the end of the year.

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.

Image courtesy of Rosatom