Kenya signs nuclear power partnership deal with China

NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya’s plans for nuclear electricity generation by 2025 have received a boost following the signing of a partnership agreement with China.

The memorandum of understanding signed between the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board and the China General Nuclear Power Corporation will enable Kenya obtain expertise from China by way of training and skills development, technical support in areas such as site selection for Kenya’s nuclear power plants and feasibility studies including safety analysis and environmental impact assessment.

In addition, Kenya will obtain firsthand knowledge of China’s nuclear power technology. 

“This is an important partnership on the road to the realisation of our nuclear power programme,” said KNEB Chairman Mr. Ochilo Ayacko.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant in Guangdong Province, southern China. 

The China General Nuclear Power Corporation operates third-generation HPR 1000 nuclear power plants. Kenya is yet to settle on the model of reactors for its nuclear power plants. Thus, the Hualong One reactor, which generates 1000MW of electricity, is among those under consideration as the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board continues with the technology assessment of nuclear reactor models available from various parts of the world.

Besides Mr. Ayacko, those present during the MoU signing were three MPs who are members of the Departmental Committee on Energy of Kenya’s National Assembly, Hon. Arthur Papa Odera (Teso North), Hon. Esther Gathogo (Ruiru) and Hon. James Lomenen (Turkana South), Director-General of the Energy Regulatory Commission Eng. Joseph Ng’ang’a and Chief Geologist in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Mr. John Omenge. 

Kenya plans to set up a first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1000MW by 2025. This is expected to rise to a total of 4000MW by 2033 making nuclear electricity a key component of the country’s energy mix which is projected will be about 19,000MW in total. Kenya currently has an installed capacity of 2298MW.