Kenya told to form nuclear energy agency
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Yukia Amano (left) and Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Principal Secretary Joseph Njoroge during a media briefing at Harambee House in Nairobi on December 9, 2013. Mr. Amano said it was necessary for Kenya to adhere to international conventions, enact domestic laws, have an independent regulator and develop capacity for nuclear energy projects. PHOTO/SALATON NJAU.
What you need to know:
- The call by the International Atomic Energy Agency comes as Kenya is laying down plans to set up four nuclear electricity plants with a combined capacity to produce at least 1,000 megawatts of power by 2030.
The global agency charged with promoting safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies wants Kenya to establish an independent authority to govern activities in the nuclear energy sector.
The call by the International Atomic Energy Agency comes as Kenya is laying down plans to set up four nuclear electricity plants with a combined capacity to produce at least 1,000 megawatts of power by 2030.
“It is necessary (for Kenya) to adhere to international conventions, enact domestic laws, have an independent regulator and develop capacity for nuclear energy projects,” said Yukia Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
He was addressing the press in Nairobi Monday after meeting with the principal secretaries in the ministries of Energy and Petroleum, Education, Science and Technology, Industrialisation and Enterprise development as well as that of the Ministry of Health.
The Energy ministry is in the process of updating the Energy Act and Policy to incorporate emerging undertakings in the sector.
The draft energy Bill and policy which recognises nuclear energy as a key source of power to help the country meet its targeted long-term power production capacity provides for the creation of a regulatory body for the nuclear energy sector.
Drafting nuclear policy
Currently, all activities in the energy sector are solely regulated by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
Energy principal secretary Joseph Njoroge said the first nuclear plant is expected to come on board in 2022.
The Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board is tasked with implementing plans to enable the country produce electricity from the resource.
The board is currently drafting a nuclear policy and Bill which if passed into law will spell out the process of authorisation for investments in nuclear energy projects such as the procedures for acquiring licences and permits and inspection to monitor compliance with licences issued by the regulator.
It will also provide measures to address the safety of nuclear facilities, radiation protection and enforcement provisions for non-compliance with regulations.
