Kenya’s Nuclear Strategic Plan 2023-2027
Kenya’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) yesterday (18 March 2024) launched its Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to provide direction in alignment to the fourth Medium Term plan and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The 100-page document outlines a comprehensive strategy for establishing the necessary infrastructure to effectively construct, operate, maintain, and decommission nuclear facilities with a strong emphasis on safety and security measures.
Kenya targets to commence construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2027 and eventually commission it in 2034. The country is seeking to deploy the Small Modular Reactor Technology, generating about 300MW of electricity which can be scaled up.
Kenya is presently at Phase 2 within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) milestone approach. With a target to establish its first nuclear power plant by 2034, the government plans to commence construction by 2027. As part of this initiative, two potential sites, located in Kilifi and Kwale counties, have already been identified for the nuclear power plant's installation. Technical and feasibility studies have been conducted as integral components of the established framework.
According to Mr. Justus Wabuyabo, CEO of NuPEA, the strategy aims to ensure Kenya's compliance with international conventions, treaties, and obligations concerning nuclear applications, radiation protection, and the transportation of radioactive materials and nuclear waste. This demonstrates the government's unwavering commitment to implementing the power program while upholding the most stringent international standards. Such adherence is paramount for establishing a legitimate and safe trajectory in the realm of nuclear energy.
A robust regulatory and legal framework is essential to guarantee the safe and secure utilization of nuclear energy. These frameworks also oversee the continuous safety of nuclear installations throughout their operational lifespan. Similarly, human resources development plays a pivotal role in any nuclear energy program, as the nuclear industry heavily relies on a specialized and highly trained workforce for both safety and sustainability. Consequently, Kenya's strategic plan includes protocols for establishing a legal framework and a human resources development strategy, ensuring that nuclear power becomes a fundamental component of the country's energy portfolio.
Moreover, the plan endeavors to cultivate a resilient research infrastructure that will serve as a valuable resource for the nuclear energy industry and other related sectors. This objective will be realized through the nurturing of human resources, an essential element for the advancement of these sectors. Furthermore, the plan aims to enhance partnerships with both domestic and international research and academic institutions. By adopting this collaborative strategy, knowledge and expertise exchange will be facilitated, thereby fostering the holistic advancement and enhancement of the energy sectors.
The efficient implementation of this strategy will bolster awareness, societal acceptance, and support for nuclear power and research reactor programs. Moreover, it will promote heightened involvement and endorsement from stakeholders in energy research, nurturing a more robust and inclusive framework for advancing both nuclear technology and sustainable energy solutions.
Effective stakeholder engagement within the nuclear energy sector is paramount for ensuring transparency, addressing concerns, fostering trust, and garnering support for safe and sustainable nuclear initiatives. Recognizing this significance, Ezra Odhiambo, Chair of NuPEA's board, called upon all stakeholders to fully endorse the comprehensive execution of the strategic plan. He emphasized the participation of relevant stakeholders, including the public, in its formulation. According to Odhiambo, the plan encompasses a thorough legal framework and a meticulous process for site identification and commissioning, prioritizing suitability and minimal environmental impact. He emphasized that this process typically extends over three years, highlighting the necessity for careful attention to environmental considerations and regulatory adherence.
International cooperation in the field of nuclear energy is of paramount importance for countries embarking on nuclear energy programs, as it offers valuable guidance for assessing infrastructure requirements and fulfilling them. Kenya's dedication to global nuclear cooperation is evident through various initiatives. For instance, it has entered into a Nuclear Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the United States, aiming to collaborate on peaceful nuclear energy applications and industry connections. Engagements with South Korea prioritize regulatory considerations, leveraging South Korea's extensive nuclear expertise. An agreement with China facilitates the exchange of expertise, particularly in areas such as site selection and feasibility studies. Collaborations with Russia encompass nuclear training and capacity-building endeavors.
Despite these partnerships, Mr. Wabuyabo highlighted Kenya's ongoing pursuit of a partner that can effectively address the country's specific needs, including the training of Kenyans in the field of nuclear energy.
NuPEA has identified several key lessons that will significantly bolster the implementation of the strategic plan. Firstly, the establishment of a collaboration platform equipped with automated tools has greatly improved project and activity coordination and implementation. Secondly, the agency's adept leveraging of robust relationships with development partners has proven effective in securing support and supplementing exchequer funding. Thirdly, enhancing the monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning (MERL) framework, along with fostering information sharing across departments, has contributed to organizational effectiveness. Furthermore, the inclusive involvement of all relevant internal and external stakeholders in activities has fostered a sense of ownership and commitment. Continuous training and capacity building initiatives, encompassing both technical and non-technical aspects, have been instrumental in developing essential knowledge and supporting project/program execution. Lastly, the adoption of an integrated horizontal work approach among departments has been pivotal in fostering synergy and optimizing collaborative efforts toward achieving strategic objectives.
Moreover, Mr. Alex Wachira, principal secretary for the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, commits wholeheartedly to backing the effective implementation of the strategic plan and the realization of NuPEA's objectives. He guarantees that the Ministry will extend essential assistance as Kenya progresses towards attaining the outlined goals in the plan.
Reflecting on Kenya's nuclear journey
In 2010, the Kenyan government made a significant decision to incorporate nuclear power into its energy portfolio, acknowledging the necessity of diversifying energy sources to meet the increasing electricity demands of the nation. In 2015, the IAEA conducted an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) to evaluate Kenya's progress and provide guidance for infrastructure development. The comprehensive assessment by the IAEA resulted in various recommendations and suggestions, all aimed at facilitating Kenya's nuclear ambitions. These recommendations were in alignment with Phase 1 criteria of the IAEA's Milestones Approach, ensuring a systematic and organized progression in nuclear infrastructure development.
Following a subsequent INIR mission in 2021, Kenya's substantial progress in implementing the recommendations and suggestions from the 2015 review was affirmed. This accomplishment indicates the country's advancement into Phase 2 of its nuclear program, representing a significant milestone in its nuclear pursuits.
According to a classification conducted by Nuclear Business Platform, Kenya is positioned in the tier-1 category among African nations in terms of their integration of nuclear energy into their energy portfolios. According to Mr. Wabuyabo, Kenya's inaugural NPP project, with a capacity of 1,000 MW, is projected to require an investment of 500 billion Kenyan Shillings, equivalent to approximately 3.73 billion US Dollars. Despite the high initial project cost, the operational and maintenance expenses are comparatively low. As always, the economic advantages of nuclear power surpass the costs.
Furthermore, Kenya has expressed interest in small modular reactors (SMRs). According to NuPEA, the nation intends to adopt SMR technology to generate approximately 300MW of electricity initially, with the potential for scalability. On another hand, By 2030, Kenya also aims to have its nuclear research reactor operational, located in Konza, Machakos County. This reactor will serve multiple functions, including training, education, research, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications. As in December 2023, an INIR mission regarding the IAEA milestone approach for research reactors took place in Kenya, according to the mission Kenya has made significant progress in the development of the national nuclear infrastructure for the country’s new research reactor program.
In summary, the recently unveiled 2023-2027 strategic plan for Kenya's energy sector represents a significant catalyst for advancing the nation's nuclear energy aspirations. By outlining a comprehensive strategy for infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks, and human resources, the plan lays a solid foundation for notable progress in the sector. Through strategic partnerships and commitment to international standards, Kenya is poised to leverage the advantages of nuclear power while prioritizing safety, sustainability, and socioeconomic development. This initiative aligns with the government of Kenya's Vision 2030 and its bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
The CEO of NuPEA, Mr. Justus Wabuyabo will be attending and speaking at the upcoming Africa Nuclear Business Platform conference and exhibition which is hosted by Ghana’s Ministry of Energy this 27-30 May 2024 in Accra. Now in its 3rd year, the conference will bring together all the key African government officials involved in their country's nuclear power programs. Over 20 African countries are expected to attend AFNBP 2024.
