Kenya is continuing to develop its first research reactor, a stepping stone to a future nuclear energy programme, and has invited an IAEA peer review mission to review its national nuclear infrastructure development.
The eight-member team, comprising of Indian and US experts and six IAEA staff, conducted a nine-day mission in December to review the country’s nuclear infrastructure development status against the Phase 1 criteria of the IAEA’s Milestones document, which provides guidance on research reactor design on 19 issues ranging from nuclear safety and waste management to funding.
The team made recommendations and proposals for further development of the nuclear infrastructure. Kenya plans to commission its first research reactor in the early 2030s. In September 2023, the Kenya Atomic Energy Authority (NuPEA) announced a potential 1,000 MWe nuclear power plant project in Kilifi or Kwale.
NuPEA said that following the report of the team of experts, a comprehensive action plan would be developed to implement the recommendations and suggestions made. It added that the mission “demonstrates Kenya’s unwavering commitment to openness and cooperation in advancing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. The findings from this peer review will contribute to Kenya’s goals towards the safe and responsible use of nuclear energy potential.”