IAEA concludes Kenyan nuclear review

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on Monday that it has concluded an eight-day mission to review the nuclear infrastructure development in Kenya.

Kenya is interested in pursuing nuclear energy as a potential part of its future energy mix and to meet increasing demand.

The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) team consisted of 10 individuals representing Spain, the U.K., IAEA staff and South Africa. The team identified areas that have seen progress and those that will need to be addressed by the Kenyan government.

"Kenya has given thorough consideration to the infrastructure that will be necessary should the country decide to proceed with the development of a national nuclear power program,”  IAEA Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section Representative Jose Bastos, who led the mission team, said.

Areas that are crucial include the establishment of the legal and regulatory framework and the establishment of key requirements in order to guide the nuclear program, the INIR team said.

The Kenyan government established the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB) in order to prepare for eventual nuclear power generation in the country.

 “Kenya is committed to a successful nuclear power program with the aim of providing affordable, reliable, competitive and safe electricity," KNEB Executive Chairman and CEO Ochilo Ayacko said. "This gives us the impetus to proceed toward the next stages and gives the government a good framework of the actions and issues requiring further development.”