Kenya Plans To Commence The Construction Of A 2,000mw Nuclear Power Plant In 2027.

Posted on : Monday , 30th March 2026

The government intends to implement a minimum of 3000 megawatts of nuclear energy over the next seven years, aiming to reduce power costs and improve the nation's competitiveness.

 

At the International Conference on Nuclear Energy (ICONE) 2026, President William Ruto declared that Kenya will embark on its nuclear energy initiative next year, starting with a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) to be constructed in Siaya County.

 

"President Ruto stated that Kenya intends to begin the construction of a 2,000MW nuclear power facility in Siaya County next year, with the project anticipated to be commissioned in 2034."

 

As part of its ambitious energy generation strategy, Kenya aims to elevate its installed capacity from the existing 3,300MW to a minimum of 10,000MW within the specified timeframe. According to President Ruto, the investment in nuclear power generation is projected to decrease the current power tariff, which stands at an average of 9 US cents per unit, a figure that is regarded as significantly elevated compared to rival regional economies.

 

With an operational lifespan ranging from 60 to 80 years and a capital recovery period of under 20 years, nuclear power serves as a fundamental element of sustainable development across generations. By optimizing our energy mix with nuclear power, Kenya is poised to achieve a notable decrease in electricity costs, estimated between 4 and 5.5 US cents per unit, he remarked. At the peak of construction, the nuclear power project is projected to produce around 5,000 to 12,000 jobs, which will include a variety of roles from manual labor to highly specialized engineering positions.

 

During the conference, Siaya County Governor James Orengo urged stakeholders to address the health and safety concerns raised by residents prior to the commencement of the project's construction. According to Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, the nuclear power plant aims to deliver stable electricity to Kenya, thereby fostering economic development within the nation.

 

"Nuclear energy has shown that it can provide a very reliable baseload. This baseload is crucial for our progress into a future with a stable and resilient grid, which can support our transformation and enable us to advance to a first-world status," stated Wandayi.

 

The facility that is set to be built by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) alongside the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) will establish the most advanced nuclear energy power producer in Africa. Kenya is also contemplating relocating nuclear regulatory instruments from the health ministry, their current home, to the energy ministry.

 

As stated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), South Africa is the sole country producing nuclear power from two units at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, which has an installed capacity of 2 gigawatts. Meanwhile, the nuclear power plant in Egypt is presently under construction, with an anticipated installed capacity of 4.8 megawatts.