Kenya embarks on training of nuclear scientists in readiness for launch of the construction of a nuclear power plant to supplement the current electricity supply, an official says.

Edwin Chesire, principal capacity building officer at the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) says that Kenya is working in collaboration with local universities to train nuclear scientists to increase the number of experts in the field of nuclear science ahead of the launch in 2027.

“Kenya stands to benefit from nuclear technology since additional energy will be generated to help Fastrack Kenya’s economic development,” Chesire says during a meeting on nuclear power development in Nairobi.

Chesire reveals that so far 66 nuclear scientists have been trained on nuclear science in collaboration with the University of Nairobi.

He adds that there are negotiations with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and five Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) institutions to train additional personnel in the field of nuclear science.

Chesire notes that the agency is in the process of conducting civic education to policy makers as well as communities in areas that have been earmarked for nuclear power development in coastal Kenya.

He adds that the nuclear plant that is expected to start generating energy in 2034 will generate an additional 4,000 megawatts of electricity into the national grid, will operate under the international agreement.

Chesire observes that even though nuclear power plants are expensive to build, the cost of running them is cheap and they also are carbon-free.

Kenya, he says, has conducted strategic environmental assessment besides having policies and strategies in place in readiness for the launch of the plant

Dominic Mwangi, a researcher at Strathmore University’s energy research Centre observes that Kenya needs to explore all the available means to secure energy for its domestic and commercial consumption.

Mwangi says that the additional megawatts will help in reducing the cost of electricity that is currently on the high side and a hindrance to investors in the country.

He says that the university has trained 4,000 solar power experts who have helped in transforming the electricity landscape in the country through wide adoption of solar power countrywide.

Mwangi urges universities to link academic work with industry for easier adoption of the technologies within the communities.

The nuclear energy forum that was attended by representatives from the civil society, the private sector, academia, public entities, youth, and women energy-based organizations brought to light critical and concerning issues on justice, viability, affordability, grid expansion and integration with already existing energy systems.

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