Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya has rooted for the adoption of nuclear energy to address climate change in Africa.
Speaking during the award of winners of an essay writing competition on nuclear energy in Africa on Monday, Tuya said climate change is an existential threat that demands urgent action.
“As a people and a generation, nuclear energy is perhaps Africa’s last best hope to addressing climate change and powering sustainable economic development,” she stated.
The CS noted that in the current circumstances, nuclear energy is emerging as a compelling solution to power needs as it offers a clean, reliable, and low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
“Nuclear power plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions during their operation, and their ability to generate large amounts of electricity consistently can help reduce Africa’s reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate our carbon footprint,” she stated.
Tuya added that nuclear energy has the potential to address the pressing issue of energy poverty in Africa where up to 600 million people have no access to reliable electricity.
“In Kenya, by 2040, the demand for electricity will exhaust the current generation capacity, making a powerful case for urgent adoption of nuclear power,” she reiterated.
In a speech read on her behalf by National Environment Management Authority Vice Chair Sophie Takaria Matura, the CS added that nuclear power plants can provide a stable and abundant source of energy,
The award ceremony honoured university students for their contribution to understanding nuclear energy and its place in Africa.
Organised by RePlanet Africa, a grassroots NGO that advocates for science- based solutions to the challenges of our time, the competition sought to ignite a dialogue on and encourage innovative thinking regarding the role of nuclear energy in Africa’s future.
The competition was open to university students across the continent and drew 128 participants from 60 universities, in 13 countries from across Africa.
Mike Felix Okoth Ochieng’, a 5th-year student of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya emerged top.
Connor Dalen, a first year student of Physical Sciences at the University of Pretoria in South Africa was the first runners-up while Chiahanam Joseph, a 5th-year student of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nigeria came in as the second runners-up.
Karolina L. Gylfe, the Replanet Secretary General lauded the initiative as crucial to driving a conversation around nuclear energy.
According to Patricia Nanteza, the RePlanet Africa Coordinator, the competition was designed to encourage and promote a deeper understanding and perception of nuclear energy’s role in Africa’s sustainable development.
“Through this competition, we provided an ideal platform for university students to delve into the subject matter, contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable energy solutions and showcase their research skills, critical thinking and innovative ideas,” Nanteza said.
She added that by participating in the competition, students contribute to Africa’s energy sector while competing for recognition and valuable prizes.
