Ayacko-led team to start nuclear power generation for Kenya

By Macharia Kamau

The launch of the Nuclear Electricity Project has ramped up plans to include nuclear energy in Kenya’s power generation mix.

The Energy Ministry has also unveiled a 13-member committee, chaired by Ochillo Ayacko, which will drive the nuclear electricity generation agenda in the country.

The Committee will identify a site to set up the nuclear power station, as well as prepare, and oversee implementation of a roadmap for the launch of nuclear power plant. The ministry set aside Sh300 million for use over the next six months to start of the Nuclear Electricity Project.

"The Government is embarking on the nuclear power generation project due to the frustrations the country has seen following over reliance on fuel based thermal and hydro power generation," Energy Minister, Kiraitu Murungi, said when he unveiled the Committee yesterday.

"The two are both costly and unreliable, and we have to diversify power generation sources if the country is to meet growing electricity demand."

Kenya currently generates electricity mostly through hydropower, which has proved unreliable. This is especially so during prolonged dry spells, when the country has been compelled to turn to power generation using diesel-fired thermal generators to meet most of its electricity needs. Thermal energy sources have blamed for frequent increases in consumers’ electricity bills.

In addition to nuclear power, there are plans to increase generation from geothermal sources, as well exploration of other sources like coal, wind and solar.

Capital cost

Kiraitu said the capital cost of setting up a nuclear plant was relatively lower when in comparison with the rest.

"An analysis of power generation costs of various sources indicates that nuclear electricity commands the highest economic merit order," said Kiraitu.

A nuclear power plant generating 1,000 megawatts would cost Sh280 billion ($3.5 billion), and consumers would pay $0.00684 cents per kilowatt-hour. This is in comparison with a 1,000 MW geothermal plant that would cost Sh400 billion ($5 billion), and consumers pay a higher rate of $0.0084 cents. A coal plant of similar capacity would cost Sh160 billion ($2bilion) but with the highest tariff for consumers at $0.00954 cents per kilowatt-hour.

Kenya has an installed capacity of 1,300 MW, which is almost being outstripped by demand that currently stands at 1,200 MW, and growing at the rate of eight per cent every year.

Demand is projected to steadily grow to 15,000 MW over the next two decades, due to growth in industry, as envisaged by Kenya’s economic blueprint, Vision 2030.

By then, the Government plans to have grown the installed capacity to 18,000 MW, giving a reasonable 20 per cent margin between installed capacity and demand.

"Nuclear power capacity will by then be accounting for 7,000 MW of the 18,000 MW installed capacity by 2030," he said.

Ayacko said the Nuclear Electricity Project would employ best practices in handling challenges that would come with a nuclear plant, including waste disposal and securing the power station once it is place.

"Nuclear has been identified as a must have for Kenya in the power production mix," he said.

"The challenges that will come with the project are universal, and we will employ the best practices in handling them including best methods of waste disposal. We will borrow from markets that have nuclear plants and employing the best standards," said Ayacko.