Kenya’s First Secretary to the Cabinet (equivalent to Prime Minister), Musalia Mudavadi said Kenya plans to build its first NPP by 2034. The plant will be situated on the Indian Ocean coast. He added that as well as the NPP, a research reactor is expected to be operational by the early 2030s. Kenyan media estimate the cost of the 1,000 MWe plant at KES500bn ($3.8bn).
The project, which will begin in 2027, aims to boost Kenya’s energy capacity, cut CO2 emissions, and create job opportunities. Mudavadi emphasised Kenya’s commitment to advancing clean energy, noting that Kebya aims to integrate nuclear technology into its sustainable energy strategy.
He was speaking following a meeting with the Director-General of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) William D Magwood IV. “Kenya is committed to leading in clean energy and advancing nuclear technology as part of sustainable energy strategy,” Mudavadi said.
During the meeting, discussion focused on advancing nuclear technology as part of Kenya’s sustainable energy strategy, which aligns with NEA’s leadership goals to integrate atomic energy into our clean energy mix. Key areas include deploying small modular reactor technology, enhancing research, and building institutional sustainability.
Mudavadi said the government is keen to strengthen its partnership with NEA. “As we move forward, this collaboration will play a vital role in the successful implementation of our nuclear energy programme, contributing to the nation’s prosperity and sustainability.”
The meeting came ahead of Kenya hosting the 2nd US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES). The first USANES summit in Ghana was hosted by the US Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.
