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Kenya considering nuclear power in addition to geothermal ambitions

Kenya considering nuclear power in addition to geothermal ambitions Uhuru Park, Nairobi/ Kenya (source: flickr/DEMOSH, creative commons)
Francisco Rojas 10 Mar 2015

The country has a growing demand for electricity and geothermal is currently the main source for power, overtaking hydro. Nuclear power seems to be in the sights of future development.

Kenya is enjoying fast economic growth and also a steady and big demand for electricity. In order to provide electricity at affordable prices, the government has been keen on developing the massive geothermal potential that the country has and therefore making big news thanks to new geothermal power plants being commissioned. It seems that geothermal is not the only power source aimed by Kenyan authorities; nuclear is also in the works.

Local Kenyan news report that the country is targeting 2,600mw from nuclear energy come 2033 as one way of meeting increased power demands. According to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the country will have an installed power capacity of 24,674 MW by then. Geothermal power has been identified as the pillar project for the project which will see Kenya turn into an exporter of electricity. Of the project capacity, geothermal will be leading with 7,264 MW which will account for 29.4 percent with coal following at 5,400 MW (21.9 percent). According to ERC director in charge of economic regulation Dr John Mutua, the country was slowly shifting from hydro to geothermal which is reliable and sustainable.

Source: Standard Digital News