Kenya and the United States are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on nuclear energy cooperation during the IAEA General Conference in Vienna this September. This agreement will foster collaboration in nuclear policy, research, and regulation, with applications in energy, health, and agriculture. This follows a meeting in Nairobi between nuclear regulators from both countries.
Kenya aims to begin constructing its first nuclear power plant (NPP) in 2027, with the potential to generate 1,000 MW of electricity. The plant, a key step toward meeting the country’s growing energy needs, is part of Kenya’s plan to achieve middle-income status by 2030. Last year, Kenya identified two potential sites for the NPP following a series of pre-feasibility studies.
The cooperation between Kenya and the US in nuclear energy is growing, as demonstrated by President William Ruto’s state visit to the US, where he and President Joe Biden discussed clean energy initiatives, including nuclear power. The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) is also seeking international support to implement its regulatory framework under the Nuclear Regulatory Act 2019.
The NPP is estimated to cost $3.87 billion (KES 500 billion) and is expected to be completed by 2034. KNRA Chairman Omondi Anyanga emphasized the long-term benefits of the US-Kenya MoU, while Deputy Director General of the IAEA, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, urged African nations to embrace nuclear power to meet growing energy demands and reduce carbon emissions.
Kenya has also signed agreements with China, Russia, Slovakia, and South Korea, which are vying to provide the technology for the project.
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