Revealed: Plans for Kenya’s Sh9.2 trillion nuclear plant to end frequent blackouts

Kenya's first nuclear power plant is expected to break ground in 2027, a milestone that is expected to reduce the cost of electricity for Kenyans.

This is according to the CEO of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), Justus Wabuyabo, who has assured Kenyans that nuclear power is the safest technology, allaying the fears of a section of Kenyans who have expressed their displeasure with the project.

In an interview with Nation.Africa, Mr Wabuyabo said the country is still on track with plans to start construction of the first nuclear power plant in 2027, and that the project has received massive support from the National Treasury, the Ministry of Energy and other institutions, as well as the US government.

The country is expected to opt for a traditional nuclear power plant costing Sh9.2 trillion, which will generate up to 1,000 megawatts (MW).

To ensure the country is strategically positioned for the mega nuclear project, Kenya will host a regional summit in May 2025 to discuss small modular reactors (SMRs).

"We will have the first SMR school in Africa, which is a new technology for nuclear power plants. We hope to bring together technology providers and senior policymakers from Africa to talk about the technology that is being introduced," said Mr Wabuyabo.

He says the new technology will meet Kenya's growing demand for energy each year as more Kenyans are connected to the main grid.

If construction begins in 2027 as planned, the country will have nuclear power as one of its electricity generators by 2034.

"The cost of electricity will go down for the ordinary Kenyan, but more importantly we will address the issue of load shedding. We will be able to completely address the issue of persistent power cuts and ensure that Kenya becomes energy secure, which will save on industrialisation."

To ensure that the plants meet some of the requirements, such as having large bodies of water around for cooling purposes, the authority has identified Kilifi as one of the suitable sites for the nuclear power plant and Kwale as an alternative site.

Mr Wabuyabo says a lot of activities will be carried out in the coming years before construction starts, including a site-specific environmental impact assessment that will involve the surrounding communities and stakeholders.

The alternative, according to the agency's CEO, is to opt for advanced nuclear reactors, which have a capacity of up to 300 MW per unit but are still under development, limiting the country's ability to consider them.

On environmental concerns and the safety of residents living near nuclear power plants, Mr Wabuyabo says all legal requirements will be followed in the development of the project, including carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with the support of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

"We will engage the communities and the people who are likely to be affected by the nuclear project and we will take into account all their concerns and we will make sure that the project meets the needs of the Kenyan people."

The Malindi High Court recently dismissed two petitions seeking to stop the construction of the nuclear power plant but referred the matter to Chief Justice Martha Koome, who will form a bench of Environment and Land Court judges to fully consider the issues raised in the petitions.

Mkoba Ngolo and Zawadi Kalume challenged NuPEA's decision to set up a nuclear power plant in Kilifi County, citing environmental issues that should be taken into consideration before the project goes ahead.