DABAA: The reactor core catcher for the fourth nuclear unit arrived Monday at the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant specialized port, marking a significant milestone in Egypt’s nuclear energy project, according to a statement by Egypt’s Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) on Monday evening.

According to State Information Service Egypt, NPPA Chairman Amgad El-Wakeel received the shipment, which departed from Russia’s Novorossiysk Port on 28 October, in the presence of senior officials from the Egyptian and Russian sides involved in the project.

The NPPA is preparing to authorize the Russian general contractor Atomstroyexport to begin installing the core catcher on 19 November, the fourth anniversary of Egypt’s Nuclear Energy Day. With this installation, all four nuclear units at the Dabaa project will be equipped with core catchers, marking them as the first long-term nuclear components installed at the facility.

The core catcher, a unique safety device specifically designed for advanced third-generation reactors
, takes approximately 14 months to manufacture. This innovative component is positioned beneath the reactor vessel. It is designed to contain molten materials in the unlikely event of a core meltdown. This system prevents the escape and spread of radioactive materials, thus ensuring the highest levels of safety and environmental protection at the nuclear facility.

This reactor model is already operational in other successful projects worldwide, with four similar units currently operating. The core catcher’s installation ahead of its scheduled date in 2025 highlights Egypt’s commitment to accelerating progress on this landmark energy project.