Kenya’s nuclear energy plan delayed past 2030

• 3 years ago (2020-10-26)
• David Flin

Africa 303 Nuclear 639

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Kenya’s plan for a nuclear power plant has been delayed beyond the initial estimate of 2030. The country’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) said that the lengthy compliance procedures that were needed will only be ready in 2035, delaying the prospect of having the major base load energy source.

Collins Juma, Chief Executive of NuPEA, said that the country will prioritise the use of small modular reactors as opposed to a planned 1000 MW single reactor as Kenya’s electricity demand increases over time. He said: “We are looking into having these small reactors in phases as we monitor how the country’s electricity demand grows and how the grid is prepared to take the additional energy. The SMRs are also cheaper and faster to implement, but it will still be around 2035 or 2036 before they will be available.”

Kenya Power has been struggling with depressed demand for electricity generated by its suppliers who have contracts compelling it to buy energy even when it is unable to sell it. This demand headache has been instrumental in the postponement of future generation plans such as nuclear.