Energy summit begins in Nairobi as US, Kenya eye MoU
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority chairman Omondi Anyanga (second left) and other board members arrive for the US-AFrica Nuclear Summit in Nairobi on Tuesday.
What you need to know:
- Director General Keter said: “We are currently developing a set of regulations and will need support to guide them through public participation. We cannot manage this alone. We also require assistance to fortify our regulatory framework to ensure the responsible and effective development of our nuclear programme.”
- Anyanga expressed optimism about an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US, expected to be signed at the IAEA General Conference next month in Vienna. “We believe the MoU will bring substantial benefits. We have made considerable progress and look forward to continued support,” Anyanga said.
Experts have underscored the critical role of nuclear power in addressing Africa's growing needs in energy, medical and agricultural sectors.
Speaking during the US-Africa Summit held in Kenya for the first time on Tuesday, they said Africa countries should act decisively to harness opportunities in the nuclear sector.
Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Technical Cooperation Division for Africa, said that with global advancements in nuclear technology and other low-carbon sources, the continent should not be left behind.
“There are numerous untapped opportunities that Africa should be ready to seize,” Abdulrazak told the conference, adding that nuclear energy could play a transformative role in meeting Africa's substantial and growing energy demands.
The policymakers, technical experts, and industry leaders are meeting at a time when Kenya is advancing its nuclear programme, with the first power plant expected in 2035.
Speakers at the forum highlighted that while renewable energy sources like wind and solar will continue to be essential, nuclear power offers a reliable, low-carbon alternative that can bolster energy security. Innovative technologies, such as small modular reactors, were identified as promising solutions for providing consistent, low-carbon energy and addressing power shortages.
The summit, to be addressed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, is expected to come up with ‘a Nairobi declaration’ on the way forward in harnessing nuclear energy.
The US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit is the first Pan-African event organized by the US in Kenya focusing on the future of nuclear power on the continent. A similar event was held in Ghana last year, and who resolutions have informed part of the ongoing deliberations.
Kenya and several other developing nations are seeking actionable strategies for expanding nuclear in health and agriculture besides energy. Kenya’s current installed energy capacity includes 863 MW from geothermal, 838 MW from hydro, 436 MW from wind, 2 MW from biomass, 173 MW from solar, and 678 MW from thermal sources, totaling 3,321 MW as of 2023. Experts say fully integrating nuclear energy could help address the existing electricity shortfall.
Meanwhile, Kenya Nuclear regulatory Authority (KNRA) board chairman Omondi Anyanga, Director General James Keter, and Corporation Secretary Beth Mushi met with a delegation from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC), led by Mr David Wright.
They KNRA team sought collaborations with the US regulator, saying successful deployment of nuclear energy would be a significant boost for Kenya’s economy.
Director General Keter said: “We are currently developing a set of regulations and will need support to guide them through public participation. We cannot manage this alone. We also require assistance to fortify our regulatory framework to ensure the responsible and effective development of our nuclear programme.”
Anyanga expressed optimism about an upcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US, expected to be signed at the IAEA General Conference next month in Vienna. “We believe the MoU will bring substantial benefits. We have made considerable progress and look forward to continued support,” Anyanga said.
