Siting assessment of a water–electricity cogeneration nuclear power plant in Egypt

Fresh water sources in Egypt are less than 13% of the world average per capita. To meet growing water and electricity demands, projections were made up to the year 2025 considering population growth, rise in standard of living, and development plans. A medium-sized nuclear desalination reactor was found to be a viable choice. This study was made to determine a suitable site for a plant in the water-scarce coastal governates of Matrouh, Red Sea, North Sinai, and South Sinai. Considering the effect of extreme climatic and geomorphological conditions on the plant and the effect of the plant on the area, it was found that the coastal strips from El-Arish to Rafah and from El-Dabaa to Saloum are the most suitable areas for construction of a nuclear power plant.

According to the above scenario for the water deficit and the demonstration option for a cogeneration/desalination–electricity reactor in TECDOC-898 [18], a medium-sized reactor for cogeneration of electricity and freshwater is a suitable and viable choice. The sites found suitable are the coastal strips from El-Arish to Rafah and from Dabaa to Sallum.