Teams mobilise for $1.2bn Egypt nuclear contract
24 May 2023
The main contractor’s first advance payment for the $1.2bn contract to build the turbine island for Egypt’s El-Debaa nuclear power plant is expected to be cleared this week, paving the way for construction work to start, according to an industry source.
In the meantime, the sub-contractor, South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility, will continue documentation work and the mobilisation of teams for the project.
Doosan signed the $1.2bn contract with state-owned South Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), for the project in November last year.
MEED reported at the time that the main construction works on the first tower on the turbine island were expected to commence in the third quarter of 2023.
The package is a sub-contract for the $2.2bn package that KHNP signed in August for the project after emerging as the sole bidder for the main and auxiliary buildings and structures of the turbine islands for the units, to be built between 2023-29.
The scope of the Doosan Enerbility contract entails the construction of 82 buildings and structures, covering the turbine building, and water treatment and air conditioning systems. It includes installing the turbines and generators.
The contract marked the first time that Doosan Enerbility had won a contract for the construction of an overseas nuclear power plant, in addition to its role of supplying the main equipment, such as the reactors and steam generators.
In January last year, KHNP was approved as the single supplier for the construction of the turbine islands by Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) subsidiary ASE, the project’s main contractor.
Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) submitted the licensing documentation for the plant’s first two units in June 2021 to the Egyptian Nuclear & Radiological Regulation Authority (ENRRA).
Rosatom obtained a licence to start building the plant’s first reactor in June 2022. The first reactor at the plant is scheduled to be operational in 2026.
In January last year, the NPPA also applied for a construction permit for units 3 and 4 of the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant.
The facility, located in the Matrouh province on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, will have four units, each with a capacity to generate 1,200MW.
Egypt and Russia signed the initial inter-governmental agreement for the North African state’s first nuclear facility in November 2015.
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Safety and security matters
3 April 2026
Commentary
Colin Foreman
EditorRead the April issue of MEED Business Review
Employment and investment opportunities in a low or no-tax environment have been key attractions for people and businesses located in the GCC for decades. Another crucial factor has been safety and security.
That reputation has been tested by the missile and drone attacks that began on 28 February. Whether the GCC’s safe haven status has been damaged depends on perspective.
For some, the fact that attacks occurred fundamentally changes how the region is viewed. For others, the ability to absorb a serious shock, respond quickly, and keep daily life and businesses functioning demonstrates resilience.Any assessment of safety is also relative. Many people and businesses that relocate in the GCC do so not only for opportunity, but because of dissatisfaction elsewhere. Common reasons include limited economic prospects, high taxation, distrust in political leadership and concerns about personal safety. Even with the recent conflict, the GCC may still compare favourably for those considering these factors.
There is no doubt that missile and drone attacks are extremely dangerous, and the fear of further incidents can linger. Even if attacks are infrequent, the uncertainty matters. It can influence personal decisions, travel advice, and the cost of insurance and risk management. These perceptions will shape the region’s attractiveness.
Safety concerns vary. In many parts of the world, higher levels of crime are an everyday worry for residents and businesses. For some, the GCC may still feel like the better option, provided the current tensions do not become the new normal.
How this question is answered will play an important role in how the region’s economies perform in the period ahead. If confidence returns quickly and the risk is seen as contained and manageable, investment and hiring will likely rebound faster than many expect. If uncertainty persists or escalates, the road to recovery will be a long one.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
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Saudi forecast remains one of growth
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Dubai seeks consultants for Al-Khawaneej stormwater project
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Dubai Municipality has issued a consultancy tender to assess and upgrade the stormwater drainage system serving the Al-Khawaneej First residential district in northeastern Dubai.
The project, listed as TF-22-E1, covers the upgrading and rehabilitation of the stormwater system in the area. The tender has been issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department.
The bid submission deadline is 23 April.
The works form part of Dubai’s wider efforts to strengthen flood resilience and support sustainable urban infrastructure development.
Two separate consultancy tenders were issued in March as part of a broader review of the emirate’s water and wastewater infrastructure to support future population growth.
One involves a study to develop a sustainable urban drainage systems strategy across the emirate. The other covers a review of the emirate’s sewage treatment and recycled water distribution strategy.
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Developer plans two residential schemes in Saudi Arabia
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The fund is targeting approximately SR650m ($173m), with Alramz committing about SR81.6m. The company will also contribute land totalling around 47,800 square metres, valued at SR215m, as an in-kind contribution.
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Oman’s Nama PWP tenders consultancy contract
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Oman’s Nama Power & Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP) has opened a tender for the provision of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting consultancy services.
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The deadline for firms to submit offers is 10 May.
According to the tender notice, the selected consultant will develop the required ESG policies, strategy, report and implementation roadmap.
Nama PWP, part of Nama Group, said the scope of work is intended to support the company’s wider ESG framework as it continues to procure new power and water capacity in Oman.
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The pipeline includes a series of large-scale independent power projects scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2031.
Solar photovoltaic capacity in the sultanate is projected to rise from 1.54GW in 2024 to 23.26GW by 2031. Wind capacity is expected to grow from 120MW to 6.75GW,
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