Kenya eyes nuclear power in energy shift

CHRIS MAHANDARA-KNA

The Government has intensified efforts to incorporate nuclear energy into Kenya’s electricity mix as part of a wider push to drive industrialisation, with plans to develop the country’s first nuclear power plant in Siaya County gathering momentum.

Speaking in Kisumu during an induction workshop for Siaya County leaders, Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) Chairman, Prof Lawrence Gumbe, said the proposed plant will play a critical role to bridge the country’s electricity deficit and support industrial growth.

Prof Gumbe noted that Kenya currently produces about 3,000 megawatts against a projected demand of at least 60,000 megawatts needed to achieve its industrialisation targets under the Vision 2030.

He said the country’s per capita electricity consumption stands at about 190 kilowatt-hours—far below the 3,000 to 7,000 kilowatt-hours recorded in industrialized economies, underscoring the urgency of scaling up generation. 

“The proposed nuclear power plant in Siaya can generate up to 6,000 megawatts within a short period, more than doubling the current supply and providing stable, round-the-clock power for industries,” he said.

Acknowledging the role of renewable energy, Prof Gumbe said sources such as wind, hydro and solar are intermittent, making nuclear energy essential for providing a reliable base load.

He further assured that safety remains a top priority, noting that Kenya is aligning itself with international standards, including the ratification of key nuclear safety conventions.

“There is no risk-free development, but nuclear energy is among the safest based on global data. We must work together with all stakeholders to ensure its success,” he said.

Prof Gumbe added that the momentum towards nuclear energy is growing across the continent, with countries such as Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia and Rwanda at various stages of developing nuclear power programmes.