Egypt, Hungary forge nuclear cooperation deal

Egypt and Hungary have formalized collaboration in nuclear energy through a new Memorandum of Understanding.
 
The agreement was announced by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a joint press conference with his Hungarian counterpart, Péter Szijjártó, in Cairo, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

The memorandum focuses on the operation of nuclear reactors, specifically aligning Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear power plant with Hungary’s Paks II nuclear facility, both of which utilize similar reactor technology.

Abdelatty emphasized the significance of this cooperation in enhancing nuclear energy capabilities for both nations.
 
In addition to nuclear energy, discussions have extended to other sectors, including alternative energy sources and green hydrogen production. Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Mahmoud Esmat, praised Hungary’s extensive experience in energy matters, highlighting the mutual benefits of this partnership. 

Esmat acknowledged the value of Hungary’s expertise and expressed Egypt’s appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate with a European partner on advancing energy solutions.

Both Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and Hungary's Paks II NPP are being constructed by Rosatom State Corporation. The El Dabaa facility, Egypt's inaugural nuclear power plant, is situated in Matrouh Province on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Cairo.
 
Rosatom is tasked with building four VVER-1200 reactor units at El Dabaa by 2028. Additionally, Rosatom will supply nuclear fuel for the plant’s entire operational lifespan of 60 years and will provide personnel training, maintenance, and repair services for a decade following the commissioning of each unit.

The agreement also includes the construction of the first module of a dry, containerized storage system for spent nuclear fuel by 2028. Egypt anticipates that the NPP will achieve full operational capacity by 2030.
  
The Paks II Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) project will feature two VVER-1200 Generation 3+ reactors, constructed on a turnkey basis. These advanced units are designed with a guaranteed operational lifespan of 60 years.
 
Notably, Paks II represents the first Russian nuclear project within the European Union.