By RAWLINGS OTIENO
NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya has completed a feasibility study on the establishment of a nuclear power plant, which the Government wants to be operational by 2022.
Energy Principal Secretary Joseph Njoroge said during a Press briefing at Harambee House in Nairobi yesterday that a team of experts that conducted the nuclear infrastructure review will table their report this week.
The PS explained that once the feasibility study is adopted, the country will move closer to nuclear power generation.
He said the Government had already embarked on developing safety measures before the project begins.
“It is important to have different sources of energy for Kenya to be industrialised. A feasibility study has already been done and once it’s adopted, Kenya could start producing nuclear energy by 2022,” said Njoroge.
Njoroge revealed that it takes at least seven years to establish proper infrastructure for a nuclear power plant before power generation can commence.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano, who was present at the meeting, lauded Kenya’s plan to build a nuclear plant. He said the move will help the country attain efficient and reliable energy to enable it realise faster economic growth.
Mr Amano, who is in the country for an official visit, said currently at least 73 nations were currently constructing nuclear power plants. Another 435, he added, already have nuclear plants.
Radiotherapy
“Sufficient power is essential for developing nations. Having nuclear, coal and hydro-electric power is the best mix of power resource supply that Kenya should seek to achieve,” said Amano.
He noted that besides power, nuclear has other uses that are beneficial to humanity. He cited nuclear medicine in which doctors use radiation to make quick and accurate diagnoses and also treat patients.
Radiotherapy is used to treat some medical conditions, especially cancer, by using radiation to weaken or destroy particular targeted cells.
Nuclear technology is also used to improve agricultural production by eliminating harmful insects. This is done through sterilisation of the male species.
Determined to build a nuclear plant, the Government ignored protests by those opposed to nuclear power and sent 11 students to Korea for postgraduate studies in nuclear science at the Korea Electric Power Corporation Training School in April this year.
Kenya has been facing unreliable electricity supply highlighted by frequent power blackouts, blamed on high power demand.
