Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt

The document examines how Egypt's pursuit of nuclear energy, notably the $21 billion El Dabaa project with Russia, is complicated by climate vulnerabilities and security dynamics. It highlights risks such as sea level rise threatening coastal power plants and rising temperatures affecting reactor safety. The report recommends that the United States engage in nonproliferation efforts and that international entities help Egypt implement comprehensive climate security assessments for its nuclear infrastructure.

• Egypt is pursuing nuclear power to address rising energy demands and widespread blackouts caused by increasing temperatures and deteriorating infrastructure. In 2017, Egypt and Russia signed a $21 billion agreement for the El Dabaa nuclear power project, with the regulatory authority issuing the coastal site's permit in March 2019.
• Climate change poses direct threats to Egypt's energy infrastructure, particularly through sea level rise which endangers electric power plants and networks located along the coasts, including the El Dabaa site.
• Projected temperature increases of at least 2°C by 2050 and more frequent sand storms may challenge the safe operation of nuclear reactors, as current international safety standards may not fully account for these projected warming trends.
• The report suggests the United States should promote nonproliferation by encouraging Egypt to avoid domestic enrichment or reprocessing, renewing the U.S.-Egypt 123 Agreement before its 2021 expiration, and extending the New START treaty with Russia.

APA

The Council on Strategic Risks (2019). Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/crl/nuclear-energy-developments-climate-change-and-security-in-egypt/

Chicago

The Council on Strategic Risks. Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt. 2019. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/crl/nuclear-energy-developments-climate-change-and-security-in-egypt/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=The Council on Strategic Risks |title=Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt |date=11 June 2019 |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/crl/nuclear-energy-developments-climate-change-and-security-in-egypt/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{thecouncilonstrategicrisks2019nuclear, author = {{The Council on Strategic Risks}}, title = {{Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt}}, institution = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, year = {2019}, month = jun, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/crl/nuclear-energy-developments-climate-change-and-security-in-egypt/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }