New engineering achievement at El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant: Installation of the "Dry Protection" component for Unit 3

The Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority announced its success in carrying out the installation of the “Dry Shield” component for the third nuclear unit at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, marking a new engineering milestone that reflects the progress of construction and installation works in this important national project.

In a statement yesterday, the Authority said that the installation was carried out using specialized cranes and equipment, with the component lifted and precisely positioned in its designated location inside the reactor building, paving the way for completing subsequent construction and installation works for the third unit.

The Authority emphasized that these works are executed in accordance with the highest safety, security, and quality standards, under the supervision and monitoring of specialized technical teams, and based on approvals issued by the Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority, ensuring full compliance with established nuclear requirements and standards.

It clarified that the “Dry Shield” component represents one of the key engineering elements in the safety system of the VVER-1200 reactors, an advanced third-generation design. It is installed around the reactor pressure vessel inside the reactor pit, contributing to providing thermal and radiation protection for surrounding components and structures, as well as mitigating the impact of neutrons and radiation on elements adjacent to the reactor.

The steel structure of the component weighs approximately 28.85 tons, while its total weight reaches about 128 tons after the space between its walls is filled with serpentine concrete. Its precise engineering dimensions include an outer diameter of 6.71 meters, an inner diameter of 5.650 meters, and a height of 5.157 meters.

Dr. Eng. Sherif Helmy, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Nuclear Power Plants Authority, stated that this achievement represents an important engineering step in the implementation of the third nuclear unit, emphasizing that all construction and installation works on the project are subject to strict supervision and detailed inspection, ensuring compliance with the highest global safety and quality standards.