Big energy

Kenya is pushing ahead with plans to build its first nuclear power plant, officially appointing state-owned KenGen as the owner and operator.

KenGen will work with the country’s Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (Nupea) to develop the plant, reports Africa Business Communities.

With an eventual capacity of 6 GW, the US$3.8 billion plant will be built at Siaya in western Kenya, near Lake Victoria. Construction is reportedly set to get under way as soon as 2027.

Earlier reports, quoting Nupea, suggested the plant will eventually be scaled to generate 20 GW.

‘Assigning KenGen the owner-operator role ensures the programme is anchored in strong technical capability, public trust and long-term national interest,’ the country’s energy minister, Opiyo Wandayi, said on making the announcement about KenGen at the beginning of December.

ESI Africa reported earlier this year that there are plans to set up small modular reactors in every county in Kenya once the Siaya plant is up and running.