Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Shota Kamishima, Senior Coordination Officer at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), notes that nuclear energy intersects with energy demand, technological innovation, and security, offering significant opportunities. Proper development of nuclear energy can support sustainable development, enhance energy resilience, and foster regional cooperation. This view aligns with recognition at the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, where nuclear energy was identified as a low-emission technology needing acceleration. Globally, 416 reactors in 31 countries generate nearly 10% of electricity, with 63 under construction and about 60 countries planning new nuclear projects, including small modular reactors. The United Arab Emirates’ Barakah nuclear power plant provides around 25% of domestic energy needs.
Egypt is advancing nuclear power as part of a broader energy strategy that includes renewable projects such as the Benban Solar Park and the Gulf of Suez Wind Farm. The El Dabaa nuclear plant, nearing completion, is expected to have a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts. Egyptian authorities anticipate that nuclear energy will help establish a stable and efficient electricity system and enable exports.
Energy demand in the Middle East and North Africa has tripled since 2000, driven in part by artificial intelligence developments and economic transformation. Almuntaser Albalawi, a researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), notes that the regional need for stable energy sources is increased by requirements for desalination and cooling.
Despite these opportunities, concerns over the geopolitical environment complicate the development and operation of nuclear energy in the Middle East. Professor Zia Mian of Princeton University emphasizes considering the entire lifecycle of nuclear facilities—approximately 75 years from construction to decommissioning—and the implications for regional security and safety.