Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt

Egypt is advancing its nuclear energy sector, primarily through the El Dabaa plant project with Russian support, to meet growing electricity demands and reduce fossil fuel dependence. However, this expansion occurs against a backdrop of domestic political consolidation, regional instability in Libya and Sudan, and severe climate risks. The Nile Delta is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and saltwater intrusion, which could threaten coastal nuclear infrastructure and destabilize the economy. The report urges the U.S. to renew its leadership in nuclear nonproliferation and encourages Egypt to integrate comprehensive climate security assessments into its nuclear planning.

• Egypt is proceeding with the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, with construction planned for 2020 and operations expected by the end of the decade. The project is supported by a $21 billion agreement with Russia, which will likely provide reactors, fuel, training, and financing.
• Climate change poses significant direct threats to Egypt's coastal infrastructure. Sea level rise could inundate 22-49% of coastal land by the end of the century, and Egypt's own Nationally Determined Contribution acknowledges that "sea level rise threatens the electric power plants and networks located along the coasts."
• Environmental degradation in the Nile Delta threatens Egypt's economic stability. The region contributes about 20% of GDP and employs over 30% of the population, but faces risks from saltwater intrusion, where 15% of agricultural lands could be lost to salinization in the near future.
• Egypt's nuclear ambitions are linked to its climate goals and energy needs. The government aims for renewables to provide at least 20% of domestic energy by 2022 and views advanced nuclear reactors as a way to "fill the gap between reducing fossil fuel dependence and the deployment of renewable energy."
• There are ongoing concerns regarding Egypt's commitment to nonproliferation. While a party to the NPT, Egypt has not ratified the Additional Protocol nor the Chemical Weapons Convention, and has historically explored pathways to develop nuclear weapons capabilities.
• The report recommends that the United States renew its leadership in nuclear affairs by encouraging Egypt to avoid domestic enrichment or reprocessing, rejuvenating nonproliferation programs, and developing an approach to renew the U.S.-Egypt 123 Agreement before it expires at the end of 2021.

APA

Rezzonico, A., & Parthemore, C. (2019). Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt. The Council on Strategic Risks. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/working-group-on-climate-nuclear-security-affairs-report-three_nuclear-energy_climate-change_security_egypt_2019_06-1.pdf

Chicago

Rezzonico, Andrea, and Christine Parthemore. Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt. The Council on Strategic Risks, 2019. https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/working-group-on-climate-nuclear-security-affairs-report-three_nuclear-energy_climate-change_security_egypt_2019_06-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rezzonico |first1=Andrea |last2=Parthemore |first2=Christine |title=Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt |publisher=The Council on Strategic Risks |date=May 2019 |url=https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/working-group-on-climate-nuclear-security-affairs-report-three_nuclear-energy_climate-change_security_egypt_2019_06-1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rezzonico2019nuclear, author = {Rezzonico, Andrea and Parthemore, Christine}, title = {{Nuclear Energy Developments, Climate Change, and Security in Egypt}}, institution = {The Council on Strategic Risks}, year = {2019}, month = may, url = {https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/working-group-on-climate-nuclear-security-affairs-report-three_nuclear-energy_climate-change_security_egypt_2019_06-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }