National Energy Policy - Final Draft - 14 Nov 2013

as of September 2013, there were 435 nuclear power plants in operation, 28 under constructionand 222 in the planning stage as detailed in Table 10.3 in 10.0 - Annexures.2. Vision 2030 notes the need for reliable and affordable electricity for the ever increasingcommercial, industrial and household use. The critical need for nuclear energy is premised onthe fact that, with the rising demand for power in the country due to the accelerated investmentin the economy, it is one of the forms of energy that can produce enormous amounts ofelectricity at a relatively economical cost.3. In April 2010, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) proposed the introduction ofnuclear electricity into the Kenyan energy mix as a national priority leading to the formation ofthe 13 member Nuclear Electricity Project Committee (NEPC) under the then Ministry of Energy.In November 2012, the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board was established vide the StateCorporations Act, Cap 446 and it effectively became successor of the NEPC.4. Nuclear energy across the world elicits varied reactions in relation to plant safety, managementor radioactive waste and proliferation concerns in the wake of heightened terrorism. It isimportant to note that the international nuclear industry through comprehensive RD&D hassubstantially addressed most of the concerns and challenges that traditionally underminednuclear energy as a form of economical and safe energy. This can be evidenced in the fact thatin 2005, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was awarded the prestigious NobelPeace Prize for ‘its efforts in preventing nuclear energy from being used for military purposesand most importantly for ensuring that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used in thesafest possible way.5. Kenya has adopted the internationally recommended IAEA Milestone Approach in developmentof its nuclear power programme. The Milestone Approach is a phased, guided and systematicmethodology which assesses all nuclear infrastructure issues at every single stage ofdevelopment. Figure 10.1 in 10.0 - Annexures illustrates the activities under each milestone6. The first nuclear plant of 1,000MW is expected to be commissioned in 2022. Additional units of1,000MW each are expected to be commissioned in 2026, 2029 and 2031. It is further notedthat the introduction of nuclear plants into the grid is justified by the demand for electricity withinthe Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP).4.3.5.2 Advantages1. Nuclear plants are some of the most cost effective sources of power.2. It is a clean non- pollutant way to produce energy as it does not produce any GHG emissions.3. The fuel for nuclear power plants is uranium which is abundantly available as it’s a naturalresource. Uranium deposits are not exhaustible for an estimated 1,000 years worldwide.4. Nuclear power is a reliable source of power with an economic life of 70 years with an option ofextension of up to 20 years.5. Nuclear power is suitable for base load operation.78 NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY FINAL DRAFT NOVEMBER 2013