PS: Nuclear electricity key to Kenya’s energy mix within the next ten years

NAIROBI, KENYA: Energy and Petroleum Principal Secretary Eng. Joseph Njoroge says nuclear electricity will be a critical component of Kenya’s energy mix within the next ten years.

“Kenya will successfully implement its nuclear power programme safely and efficiently, borrowing from best practices in countries that have used the technology,” said Eng. Njoroge.

Speaking during the official opening of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) status review of Kenya’s Nuclear power programme, The Energy and Petroleum Principal Secretary said that the country’s development projections make the energy source viable.

“There is no reverse gear on this road toward economic growth and prosperity. Nuclear electricity is part of the package that will get us there. The energy mix in Kenya needs a variety of sources as we strive to realize the Vision 2030 aspirations,” added Eng. Njoroge.

Among the key steps Kenya has taken towards nuclear electricity generation was the formation of the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board in 2012, building the human capacity including the training of students in Masters degree courses in nuclear power engineering in South Korea and The USA as well as developing a fifteen-year strategic which details all the steps leading to the commissioning of a nuclear power plant in about a decade from now.

But the country still requires to set up an independent regulatory body that will oversee the nuclear power generation.

Eleven experts from the International Atomic are in Nairobi to conduct what is referred to as an “Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR).”

The weeklong review in Nairobi will place Kenya among the countries in the world - which either have operating nuclear power plants or are embarking on nuclear electricity programmes - that have taken advantage of this initiative, which is run by the IAEA. On the continent, South Africa undertook an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review in 2013, while Nigeria and Morocco, alongside Kenya, are on the schedule for 2015.

The IAEA conducts this review upon request from a member country, in order to offer a comprehensive expert assessment on the nuclear infrastructure. The findings form the basis of support for an individual state’s nuclear power programme.

Kenya’s journey started in April 2014 when the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board requested the IAEA for review, upon completion of the prefeasibility study and self-evaluation of Kenya’s nuclear power programme. In May 2015 KNEB together with all nuclear stakeholders in the country held a preparatory meeting with the IAEA to plan for the main mission

It is a threefold process where a country first does a self-evaluation on its nuclear infrastructure requirements that forms the basis of review. The IAEA then conducts interviews with a wide range of stakeholders in the country under review after which it prepares a report on the status the country preparedness and areas of improvement for its nuclear power programme. 

The results will be conveyed to decision makers for appropriate action. The report shall contain evaluation of status & recommendations, suggestions and good practices in Kenya. It is scheduled that the final report will be presented to the Government by the IAEA in November 2015. 

 “This review is very important for the country as it will gauge the capacity and progress of Kenya’s nuclear power programme and provide a clear framework of getting to the next level in accordance with international best practices for generating nuclear electricity,” said KNEB Executive Chairman Ochilo Ayacko.

“ The IAEA will continue to work closely with Kenya in developing the requirements, capacity and structures required for a successful nuclear electricity programme,” said Anne Starz, a senior IAEA official.

One of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s most requested services is the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review – or INIR – mission.  This is an excellent way to help a country assess itself.  So far 14 such missions within the past six years have helped countries such as Bangladesh, Belarus, Indonesia, Jordan, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam assess their status of nuclear infrastructure development, and benefit from recommendations by international experts on how to improve. 

Kenya intends to generate 4000MW of electricity from nuclear energy by 2033, with the first 1000MW plant due by 2025.