This archive report was first published on 23 October 2021.
Kenya's nuclear power ambitions have been dealt a significant blow with the recommendation to disband the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (Nupea). The Presidential Task force on the Review of Power Purchase Agreements has cited the agency's lack of purpose and high operational costs as reasons for its dissolution.
According to the task force's report, the country is years away from setting up its first nuclear power plant, and does not yet need a standalone parastatal to steer the process. The report, presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta in late September, noted that the functions currently undertaken by Nupea could be easily handled by a department within the Ministry of Energy.
The task force, chaired by ICDC chair John Ngumi, cited the Kenya Least Cost Power Development Plan (LCPDP) in which the first nuclear power plant is expected to start generating electricity in 2037. The report stated that the cost implication of running Nupea as a distinct entity cannot be justified, and that the roles that the nuclear agency has been playing would be 'vested' to a department within the Energy ministry to handle the general policy development of nuclear power.
Kenya started considering nuclear electricity in 2008, with the Kibaki government initially proposing a first plant in 2020. However, this target was later moved to 2027 and then 2037, due to factors such as slow demand for power.
The taskforce recommended the amendment of Section 54 of the Energy Act, which set up Nupea. The agency was allocated Sh518.98 million in the financial year to June 2019, with nearly half of the funds spent on employee costs.
