By Faith Anene, Kakamega
The proposed Kenya Nuclear power plant will have the capacity to produce 20,000 megawatts of electricity once in full operation by 2040.
Addressing the media in Kakamega, the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) Justus Wabuyabo says the nuclear power project will enable Kenya to be power efficient.
He said that plans are at an advanced stage to start the construction of the nuclear power plant in Siaya county that will cost an estimated Sh500billion due to the advanced technology and materials used in its establishment.
“The project is an important project that would enable our country to produce enough power from nuclear energy which will enable the country to be power efficient. The blackouts we normally experience in Kenya will be a thing of the past,” he added.
Wabuyabo noted that once the power plant is established in Siaya, the government will commence establishment of other nuclear plants in Kilifi and Kwale counties.
The agency will also establish digital nuclear plants in every county through a new technology known as small model reactors.
“Since we have a new technology known as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are small compact nuclear power plants, we shall be able to establish them in every county to ensure sufficient electricity supply, support industrial development, and spur economic growth,” he explained.
Once complete, the nuclear power plant in Siaya will start with production of 1000 megawatts and grow steadily to over 20,000 megawatts.
He said the plant will create over 10,000 jobs for the youths in Kenya while assuring that the technology is safe for both humans and to the environment.
“We want to assure Kenyans that the nuclear plant project is safe, and the technology would not harm people or the environment,” he added.
He explained that the establishment of a nuclear power plant is governed by both national and international, which require emergency preparedness plans before the project begins.
“We shall ensure an emergency preparedness plan is in place and that the project is governed by the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA), which provides guidelines on the development of nuclear power plants,” he explained. He said Kenyans will benefit from the project for more than 100 years.
“We need to remember that this is a project that would benefit this country for more than 100 years. The investment cost is not too high, and the fuel used in nuclear power plants is cheaper compared to other sources, which will in turn lower electricity bills,” he added.
Wabuyabo noted that Kenya currently does not produce enough electricity to meet domestic demand, which is why the government purchases additional power from Ethiopia and Uganda.
He added that the nuclear power plant will outlast successive governments and will not be interfered with by the politics of the day.
“According to international laws, a nuclear power project must have proper plans to ensure it is not influenced by politics. Once the project begins, it will continue without disruption, even if new leaders are elected,” he added.
He said President Ruto has affirmed his support for the project, as local leaders from Siaya county back its establishment.
Apart from generating electricity, nuclear technology is also applied in medicine and agriculture.
Wabuyabo noted that in medicine, nuclear technology is applied in X-rays, CT-scans, and in detecting cancerous tumors, which enables early diagnosis and treatment.
He noted that the technology will be utilized in agriculture through methods such as food irradiation and crop improvement, which help produce varieties which are resistant to pests and diseases, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure food security.
He added that another use is known as non-destructive testing where the nuclear technology is used to look for dents or any anomalies in tools so that they can be repaired without destroying them.
