• Egypt and Morocco highlighted their civil nuclear energy ambitions during the World Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris.
• Egypt reported progress on the 4,800-MW El-Dabaa nuclear power plant, a cornerstone of its national energy strategy.
• Morocco said nuclear power could complement its energy strategy as renewables already represent more than 46% of installed capacity.

Interest in civil nuclear energy is increasing worldwide as governments seek stable low-carbon power sources. The World Nuclear Association (WNA) reported that 38 countries supported the declaration launched at COP28 calling for a tripling of global nuclear capacity by 2050.

Egypt and Morocco are aligning with this global momentum. Representatives from both countries expressed their ambitions to develop or explore nuclear energy during the second World Nuclear Energy Summit held in Paris on Tuesday, March 10.

France organized the meeting in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The summit brought together leaders and representatives from more than 60 countries to discuss the role of nuclear technology in the global energy transition.

Civil nuclear power currently accounts for about 10% of global electricity generation, according to the WNA.

Nuclear power strengthens Egypt’s energy strategy

Egypt used the summit to highlight the progress of its civil nuclear program centered on the El-Dabaa nuclear power plant, which will have a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts.

Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr. Mahmoud Esmat, said authorities had installed the reactor vessel of the first unit. He added that engineers had also installed safety systems for the third and fourth units.

Esmat said Egypt had obtained authorization to build a facility to store spent nuclear fuel. He also confirmed that construction work continues on all four reactors at the El-Dabaa site.

The minister said nuclear energy represents a key pillar of Egypt’s national energy strategy. He said the country wants to strengthen the stability of its electricity system and support regional interconnection projects. Egypt is currently developing an electricity interconnection project with Saudi Arabia, he said. Authorities are also studying a feasibility assessment for a potential link with Europe through Greece.

Esmat also highlighted Egypt’s role in training African nuclear technicians through cooperation programs with the IAEA and the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA).

“Egypt continues its research and development activities in the fields of peaceful uses of energy and nuclear applications in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030,” he said.

Morocco sees nuclear as a strategic complement

Morocco emphasized the gradual integration of civil nuclear energy into its national energy strategy. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said the option aligns with the energy strategy that Morocco launched in 2009. The strategy focuses on diversifying the energy mix, expanding renewable energy and strengthening energy security.

“By the end of 2025, renewable energies represent more than 46% of the installed capacity of our electricity system, and we will reach 52% before 2030,” Akhannouch said in remarks reported by local media.

Akhannouch said civil nuclear energy could open new opportunities for Morocco. He said the technology could support the production of green hydrogen, seawater desalination, and nuclear medicine. He also noted that Morocco’s phosphate deposits contain significant quantities of natural uranium. He said this resource could strengthen Morocco’s strategic relevance in international discussions on nuclear energy.

Aziz Akhannouch during his speech at the Summit

Nuclear interest expands across Africa

Interest in civil nuclear power is also growing across sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa currently remains the only African country operating a nuclear power plant.

However, several other countries have recently expressed interest in the technology. Countries such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda are exploring nuclear power options.

Many of these countries are studying small modular reactors (SMRs), a new generation of smaller nuclear installations designed to reduce costs and deployment time.

This article was initially published in French by Abdoullah Diop

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum