Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) said on 17 March that it plans to cooperate with local partners in Egypt to participate in the El-El-Dabaa NPP project being constructed by Rosatom. KHNP CEO Jung Jae-hoon signed a cooperation agreement with Petrojet during a visit to Cairo. Under the agreement, KEPCO E&C, Hyundai E&C, and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, including KHNP, plan to promote cooperation with local companies in Egypt based on their experience in NPP construction and project execution capabilities in Korea at the Barakah NPP in the UAE, KHNP said. In particular, it was decided to support the training of local technicians and experts in Egypt, and to establish a long-term cooperative relationship.

In order to participate in the El-Dabaa project, KHNP has secured the basis for participation in the project through cooperation with Petrojet, a leading local construction company and a public company, because the Egyptian government has to meet localisation requirements of 20-35%. Petrojet is a leading EPC companies with experience and capabilities in the Middle East and Africa.

Egypt’s first nuclear power plant will comprise four VVER-1200 generation 3+ reactors, built by Rosatom at a cost of more than $25 billion 85% of which will be financed through a Russian loan Rosatom’s JSC ASE is the general contractor. Under the contracts signed in 2017, Rosatom will supply fuel for its entire life cycle of the plant and will assist with training personnel and plant maintenance for the first 10 years of its operation. ASE is planning to place an order for EPC for non nuclear parts of the project (turbine building, outdoor facilities, etc) and KHNP is hoping to win the order.