Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) is a nuclear research center in Negev Desert, Israel. It functions as a Heavy-water reactor + reprocessing (research). It is operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC). In service since 1963.
Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id NUC-IL-DIMONA.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: Open nuclear-facility reference record; non-generating facility, not a power plant nameplate capacity; fuel: NTI / FAS
Facility overview
The Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, universally known as Dimona, is Israel's principal nuclear complex, in the Negev desert south-east of the town of Dimona. Built with French assistance and operational from the early 1960s, it houses a heavy-water reactor and, according to extensive open-source analysis, plutonium-separation facilities widely understood to underpin Israel's undeclared nuclear-weapons capability.
Israel maintains a policy of nuclear opacity and the site is not under IAEA safeguards. It is one of the most analysed and most-searched nuclear locations in the Middle East. Dimona is a research and production complex, not a civilian power station, and supplies no electricity to the grid.
In context: how this plant compares
Technically it is described as Heavy-water reactor + reprocessing (research). This facility converts its energy source into electricity for the grid; its capacity, fuel type and location determine its role in the national power mix.
Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.
Capacity vs largest nuclear plants in Israel
Installed capacity (MW), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).
Owner
Operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC).
Climate zone & how it works
This nuclear plant generates electricity for the grid. It sits in a hot semi-arid steppe climate (Köppen BSh) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 31.0°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.
Climate zone & typical temperatures: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid).
Site climate & environmental severity
This site sits in a benign, low-corrosion environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C1 — Very low), with dust abrasion the leading environmental stress.
Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.
How it compares & nearby plants
Israel has 2 nuclear power plants in this dataset, together about 5 MW of capacity.
Nearby power plants
- Rotem OPC power station · Gas · 466 MW · Dimona
- Dead Sea Works · Gas · 230 MW · Karak
- Hazeva · Solar · 4.5 MW · Karak
- Sde Boker · Solar · 8.8 MW · Southern District
- Ramat Hovav · Gas · 1,157 MW · Southern District
- Nevatim · Solar · 18 MW · Southern District
Location
Coordinates 31.0017, 35.1447 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona)?
Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) is a nuclear research center in Negev Desert, Israel, operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC).
Is Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) a power plant?
No — Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) is a nuclear research center and does not generate grid electricity.
Where is Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) located?
It is located near Dimona, Negev Desert, at approximately 31.002, 35.145.
What does Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) do?
Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) is used for Heavy-water reactor + reprocessing (research).
Who operates Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona)?
Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center (Dimona) is operated by Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC).