Kenya Nuclear Power Plant is yet to be developed as the country has laid out its plans of constructing its first nuclear power plant in the year 2027 in an aim of diversifying energy generation amid the increased demand and push to achieve zero-carbon energy. According to the CEO of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), Justus Wabuyabo, they have set up plans to float international tenders for the construction works of the project which will be located either in Bondo, Siaya County. Currently NuPEA has completed the much needed public participation exercise in Bondo where the plant will be based.
Kenya is committed in developing the nuclear power plant due to the rapid increase in the demand of electricity the country as it angles to becoming a middle-income economy by the time 2030 has reached.
Project Factsheet
Capacity: The plant is planned to have an initial capacity of 1,000 MW, with long-term plans to expand to 20,000 MW by 2040.
Location: Bondo, Siaya County.
Developer: The Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA)
Cost: $3.8 – $6 billion
Key timelines:
- Start of construction: 2027.
- Commissioning/operations: Targeted for 2034.
- Projected contribution: Nuclear energy is projected to contribute to the national grid as early as 2037.
Lifetime: The plant is expected to have a operational life of over 100 years.
Financiers
Kenya will tap the private sector to finance the nuclear project. Also, according to Justus Wabuyabo, once operational, the nuclear plant will have a shelf life of 100 years with plans to expand the generation capacity to 20,000MW by 2040.
Also read: What are the 5 captivating features of Kenya’s nuclear power initiative?
Kenya Nuclear Power Plant Capacity and Completion Date
The Kenya Nuclear Power Plant is expected to possess a potential capacity of around 1,000 Megawatts. This move comes about as a result of the approval that Kenya received from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the year 2021 which permitted the country to proceed with establishing the infrastructure for the nuclear power plants. The bidding stage of the project will be conducted between the year 2026 and 2027 and the construction works will kick off in the year 2027. The construction works will be carried out in a period of 6 to 10 years thus making the commissioning of the first plant in the country to be in the year 2034-2035.
Currently, very detailed scientific studies about the project are being conducted according to regulations of International Atomic Energy Agency like seismic tests in the ideal selected sites for the construction of the nuclear power plant. If successfully executed, the project will be very instrumental in boosting the electricity supply in the country thus leading to a significant reduction in the dependence on dirty thermal plants located in the region.
Significance of the Project
The 1000MW nuclear plant will compliment the country’s grid mix which has been dominated by geothermal energy.
“It will make sure that we reduce electricity prices. This has been a challenge to our citizens and has hindered them from working towards development,” he said.
“Also it will foresee an addition of over 20,000MW to the national grid by 2040. This will enable us to have enough energy to power industries,” he added.
“There will be modular reactors in every county so as to ensure the counties have sufficient power supply.
Apart from the energy generation, nuclear technology will also be used in medical and agricultural sectors.
Challenges Facing the Project
However, the country has faced setbacks regarding the project. These setbacks include funding challenges and regulatory delays in its quest.
Kenya has been working with the International Atomic Energy Agency to help realise its nuclear ambitions.
Other Nuclear Projects in Africa
Kenya hopes to join South Africa which has the continent’s only nuclear power plant.
Also Egypt with the help of Russia’s atomic giant Rosatom is in the process of constructing Africa’s second plant with plans to complete the plant by 2027.
There are also growing calls for Kenya to partner with Rosatom to help build necessary skills and capacity in the construction and management of the upcoming nuclear power plant. Rosatom is the biggest nuclear operator of nuclear power plants in the world.
