Kenya Aims to Generate 20,000 Megawatts of Nuclear Power by 2040

For decades, blackouts and costly electricity have been part of everyday frustrations in Kenya, but in Siaya County, a project is stirring that could change the country’s energy story forever. If plans by the Kenya Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) go as envisioned, the days of unreliable power could soon be history.

Kenya has set an ambitious goal: to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity from nuclear power by 2040. At the heart of this vision is a nuclear power plant proposed for Siaya County, which, once complete, will mark the country’s biggest leap in energy production.

Speaking in Kakamega, NuPEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Justus Wabuyabo, said the project will help Kenya become power efficient and finally end the blackouts that have long disrupted households and businesses. The Siaya plant is expected to cost around Sh500 billion, reflecting the advanced technology and materials required for such a massive undertaking.

“The project is an important one that would enable our country to produce enough power from nuclear energy. The blackouts we normally experience in Kenya will be a thing of the past,” Wabuyabo said, adding that the plant will start with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts and steadily grow to 20,000 megawatts by 2040.

Siaya was selected after feasibility studies highlighted its proximity to Lake Victoria, a vital resource for cooling nuclear reactors. Once this flagship project is operational, the government plans to roll out additional plants in Kilifi and Kwale counties. 

Beyond these large-scale facilities, NuPEA is exploring small modular reactors, a compact technology designed to bring power closer to the people. These reactors could be established in different counties to ensure sufficient electricity supply, support industrial growth, and spur local economies.

Kenya’s current installed electricity capacity is roughly 3,300 megawatts, sourced mainly from geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar. The nuclear project, if fully realized, would multiply that capacity several times over, transforming the country’s energy landscape. 

Across Africa, only South Africa operates a nuclear power plant, the 1,800-megawatt Koeberg facility near Cape Town,  making Kenya’s nuclear ambitions among the continent’s most ambitious.

The agency has already submitted Kenya’s nuclear program to the International Atomic Energy Agency for review, a necessary step before construction can begin. 

Wabuyabo emphasized that the plant will follow strict international and national regulations, including the Energy Act of 2019, which sets safety frameworks. Emergency preparedness will be in place well before the reactors go live.

The CEO also highlighted the economic benefits of the project, noting that more than 10,000 jobs will be created for young people during construction and operation. 

“We want to assure Kenyans that the nuclear plant project is safe, and the technology would not harm people or the environment,” he said, pointing out that nuclear fuel is cheaper than other energy sources, which could eventually reduce electricity bills.

President William Ruto has already expressed support for the plan, and leaders from Siaya County have welcomed its establishment. Wabuyabo added that international law requires nuclear projects to be shielded from political interference, ensuring the project continues uninterrupted despite changes in government.

Beyond electricity generation, nuclear technology has other applications that benefit Kenyans. In medicine, it powers diagnostic tools such as X-rays and CT scans, enabling early detection of cancerous tumors. 

In agriculture, nuclear methods like food irradiation and crop improvement help produce pest-resistant varieties, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance food security. 

Industries also use nuclear techniques in non-destructive testing, which allows engineers to detect flaws in machines and tools without dismantling them.

For Wabuyabo, nuclear vision is about more than just lighting homes. It is about transforming Kenya’s economy and securing its future. 

“This is a project that will benefit this country for more than 100 years,” he said, confident that Kenya’s nuclear journey has already begun and that its impact will be felt for generations to come.