Kenya is poised to access funds from the private sector for the construction of the initial one-megawatt nuclear power plant in East Africa, which is to be established in Bondo, Siaya County.
Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA) Chief Executive Officer Justus Wabuyabo confirmed that the plant's installation will be in two years. He also foretold the station to serve for 100 years with a nuclear power generation capacity of 20,000 megawatts scheduled by 2040.
“Information sharing between the public and the officials has been done in Bondo and we are now preparing to welcome financiers for the project. Public-private partnerships will be the main source of funds for the plant,” Wabuyabo remarked.
In the past 15 years, Kenya has evaluated the concept of nuclear energy in her power system, which is mostly geothermal energy-based. Meanwhile, the main obstacle has been with the money and regulatory delays.
NuPEA has been collaborating not only with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but also with the regulators to keep the standards as per global norms.
The Kenyan government is eager to be in line with South Africa, which presently manages the only nuclear power plant on the continent, the Koeberg plant near Cape Town.
Moreover, Egypt is also on its way to a second nuclear plant in Africa with the support of the Russian nuclear giant Rosatom, which is expected to be finished in 2027.
Kenya envisions the use of nuclear technology in medical and agricultural developments along with electricity generation.
Some individuals are also calling for the collaboration of Kenya with Rosatom in the building of the technical skills and expertise needed during the construction and long-term management of the facility.
The planned nuclear project will significantly contribute to the energy security of Kenya, the growth of the Industrial sector and climate resilience as it will be a source of clean and stable energy.