The country is on track to establish its first nuclear power plant by 2034.
According to the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (Nupea), construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with commissioning expected in 2034.
Speaking during a live KBC show hosted by the Office of the Spokesperson and dubbed Sema na Spox; Bonga na Gava, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) CEO Justus Wabuyabo said the agency is in the final stages of preparation for the construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant, a major milestone in Kenya’s energy development.
“The idea of a nuclear plant was conceptualised in 2010, and we are now moving to the critical stage of construction, which will create 10,000 direct jobs. Kenya is ahead, the only country with a nuclear power program in Africa is South Africa, and the next one which is about to finish constructing theirs is Egypt, after that the third one is Kenya”, he said.
On the issue of skills development, Wabuyabo acknowledged that while there is still a gap, Nupea has identified competent Kenyans who have received training in countries with advanced nuclear technology.
“A country must ensure it has enough skilled workforce to manage a nuclear power program, and indeed, NuPEA is undertaking that role. We’ve been identifying competent Kenyans and taking them abroad to learn firsthand. We are working with national academic institutions to develop local training here. This is work in earnest,” he stated.
He further explained the use of nuclear technology in critical sectors, including electricity generation.
“This technology is extremely useful. Most importantly, in our case, nuclear energy is being used worldwide to generate electricity”, he stated.
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