Feasibility study for nuclear power in Kenya expected soon

Last Updated 13 years ago by Kenya Engineer

The feasibility study for nuclear power in Kenya is expected soon according to an official from the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board who spoke to Kenya Engineer on basis of anonymity.

The project is however not without hurdles. A court case in process challenging the feasibility study of the project. According to the petitioner, a regional manager for Livestock Institution in Africa, Dr.Joseph Kitur, the project is not properly informed and that it is ill-timed. The case will be mentioned on June 6.

Kenya is planning to set up its first nuclear plant by the year 2022 with an output of up to 100 mega watts of power.The decision to go nuclear is however not yet reached according to our source.

Late last month, the country sent out a team of eleven engineers to undertake postgraduate studies in Nuclear Science at the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) training school. The engineers upon completion will together with other engineers spearhead the construction of the nuclear plants.

A further six students drawn from the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board, Kenya Power and Lighting Company and Kenya’s Radiation Protection Board were admitted last year are now concluding their two-year masters studies in power generation, power transmission, and radiation safety.

Locally 28 students sponsored by nuclear board are undertaking Master of Science in Nuclear Science degree course at the University of Nairobi’s Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology.

The plant(s) is set to be put up near the Coast line as it is common in other countries where they use nuclear energy. To address the fear of radiation and waste management, the government plans to set up an independent regulator to oversee the licensing and administering of safety standards ahead.