Kenya plans to begin construction of nuclear power plant in 2027

• 9 months ago (2024-02-12)
• David Flin

Africa 320 Nuclear 659

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Kenya has announced that it intends to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2027, with operations due to commence by 2035.

A site has been identified along the Coastal belt and feasibility studies are underway.

Edward Mayaka, Director for Partnerships and Public Awareness for Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), said: “Nuclear energy offers several advantages in the context of addressing climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power plants generate electricity through a process that produces virtually no direct carbon emissions. This characteristic alone makes nuclear energy an attractive option for countries striving to reduce their carbon footprint.” He added that an observation of world trends points to a nuclear renaissance, with countries like Egypt already developing a nuclear programme. He said: “There’s renewed interest in nuclear. We recently launched a postgraduate course in nuclear and radiation safety, which will go a long way in building Kenya’s and Africa’s capacity to go nuclear.”