•NuPea Director of Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development Eng. Eric Ohaga said the plant should be fully operational in 2036.
•NuPea has listed Kilifi and Kwale as best fit for Kenya's first Nuclear power generator due to the region's abundance of water and space.
Kenya's ambitious nuclear power production is taking shape after the government narrowed down on two potential sites.
After years of pre-feasibility study, the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPea) has picked Kilifi and Kwale as best suited for Kenya's first nuclear power generator due to the region's abundance of water and space.
NuPea Director of Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Development Eric Ohaga said construction works will begin in 2030, with a test run scheduled for 2034 with full operations set for 2036.
Ohanga spoke on Wednesday when NuPea hosted supply chain players in a forum aimed at sensitising the sector on in-house competencies for the project for early involvement.
Kenya has been gradually undertaking regulatory reforms on nuclear energy and radioactive substances. In 2019, the country enacted the Nuclear Regulatory Act that also sets up the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA).
The government plans to follow in South Korea's footsteps by targeting 95 per cent of its construction vendors from foreign sources.
It took South Korea 50 years after its nuclear plant construction to attain 100 per cent local expertise.
Currently, only China, Japan, Russia, United States, France and South Korea have the technological capacity to build a nuclear power plant.
"That arrangement means the vendor comes with expertise. They provide everything. They come, build, operate then transfer. Just a normal arrangement that is happening in the Express Way," Ohanga said.
He estimated the construction budget to be $50 million (Sh5.7 billion) which will be determined after the final feasibility study.
NuPea Cchief executive Collins Juma said that nuclear power generation will enhance electricity reliability in Kenya since the plant is expected to run uninterrupted for 24 months.
The 2021 Energy and Petroleum Statistics Report released in February showed 92.3 per cent of electricity in Kenya was generated from renewable sources in 2020.
Geothermal, hydro and wind power sources accounted for 43.6, 36.5 and 11.5 per cent of electricity, respectively. Only 6.5 per cent of total electricity in 2020 was generated from thermal sources.
NuPea Director Strategy and Planning Winnie Ndubai said the government could choose to explore potential market in neighbouring countries which are a step behind in setting up own nuclear plants.
This, she said, would help in optimising the nuclear power in the country while justifying the overall cost just as is done in Europe.
She said for cross border nuclear energy sales there is need for clear laws within the region to address any anticipated jurisdiction conflict.
South Africa is the only African country with an operating nuclear power plant, which has been operational since 1984.
The country utilises is two nuclear plant for agriculture, medical and commercial nuclear power generation purposes.
In 2019, Uganda said it had signed an agreement with Russia to help it build capacity to exploit nuclear technology for energy, medical and other peaceful purposes.
In December 2021, the International Atomic Energy Agency completed Uganda's nuclear infrastructure review.