Kenya's nuclear power ambitions threatened by funding, safety and skills gaps, KIPPRA warns

Kenya's nuclear power ambitions threatened by funding, safety and skills gaps, KIPPRA warns

KIPPRA warns that funding shortfalls, weak safety regulations, skills shortages and an unreliable power grid could undermine plans to introduce nuclear electricity from 2036.

Kenya’s plan to introduce nuclear power by 2036 faces major hurdles, with critical gaps in financing, safety regulations, skilled personnel and electricity grid reliability threatening to derail its ambitions.

The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) has identified these shortcomings as major obstacles to the country's nuclear energy ambitions, warning that they could undermine efforts to meet rising electricity demand and achieve clean energy targets.

The government's power development roadmap identifies nuclear energy as a potential source of electricity from 2036.

In a new study, KIPPRA highlights weaknesses across several areas of nuclear infrastructure, noting that addressing them will be essential to the safe, sustainable and cost-effective development of a nuclear power plant (NPP).

One of the key priorities is establishing sustainable financing mechanisms to cover both the construction and long-term operation of nuclear facilities.

Although Kenya has estimated the initial project costs and established a working group on financing, it is yet to identify specific mechanisms for meeting operational expenses.

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The researchers warn that inadequate financing could threaten the programme's long-term sustainability and potentially force the premature decommissioning of nuclear facilities.

Kenya could draw lessons from countries that have adopted innovative financing models, including public-private partnerships, loan guarantees and joint ownership arrangements, to mobilise investment in nuclear projects.

The study also identifies weaknesses in nuclear procurement, noting that Kenya lacks specific standards, procedures and localisation strategies for acquiring specialised equipment.

It recommends that the government establish clear procurement rules to guarantee quality, value for money, safety and security while promoting technology transfer and encouraging local industries to participate in the nuclear supply chain.

The availability of skilled personnel is another major concern, with Kenya still facing shortages of the specialised expertise and experience needed to develop and operate nuclear facilities.

Although the country has developed a human resource strategy and undertaken training in nuclear technology, the study calls for stronger partnerships between the government, universities, industry and international nuclear organisations to build and retain the required expertise.

The researchers cite Japan and South Korea as examples of countries that have used professional networks to strengthen nuclear energy skills and promote knowledge-sharing.

Public acceptance also remains a challenge, with the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) identifying opposition to proposed nuclear power development as an obstacle.

The study recommends stronger public engagement and communication to improve understanding of nuclear energy, alongside more inclusive approaches to site selection and project planning.

On safety, the report calls for improved emergency preparedness, radiation protection and environmental safeguards.

Although Kenya has made progress in establishing a regulatory framework and assessing nuclear risks, the study notes that existing laws do not comprehensively cover all aspects of nuclear safety, security, emergency planning and safeguards.

The country also lacks advanced infrastructure for radiation protection, while specific solutions for managing radioactive waste have yet to be selected.

KIPPRA recommends developing more comprehensive legislation, investing in laboratories and other radiation-monitoring infrastructure, and assigning qualified bodies the responsibility of conducting environmental impact assessments for nuclear projects.

The reliability of the national electricity grid is another concern, as nuclear power plants require a sufficiently large and stable network to accommodate their electricity output.

The think tank urges the government to continue investing in expanding and upgrading the national grid before integrating nuclear power into the system.

“Kenya is already implementing its nuclear programme using the IAEA’s Milestone approach, which has three main phases,” the report states.

KIPPRA further recommends that the government fast-track the development of a nuclear leadership programme, as advised by an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission, to strengthen management, transparency and accountability.

Kenya's nuclear ambitions are anchored in Vision 2030 and supported by the Energy Act of 2019, which established NuPEA to advance nuclear power development and the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority to oversee nuclear safety, security and radiation protection.