• The four-day conference begins August 27.
• Participants will also be seeking to address the critical issues hindering the adoption of nuclear energy power in the region.
Image: HANDOUT
Preparations for the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, are complete.
The four-day conference begins on August 27.
It is the second major convention on the continent since the Accra one that was organised by the US Department of Energy in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.
It will bring together top officials from the US nuclear energy sector to offer more insights on the technology besides pursuing possible engagement agreements as more African countries seek to pursue power generation from nuclear plants.
Nuclear Power and Energy Agency CEO Justus Wabuyabo said it will convene leading officials, policymakers, technical experts and industry leaders from the US and Africa's nuclear energy sector.
"The meeting is so important for us," he said.
Participants will also be seeking to address the critical issues hindering the adoption of nuclear energy power in the region.
Kenya plans to put up the first nuclear power plant of 1,000 megawatts at the identified sites in Kilifi and Kwale.
It is estimated that producing a plant of this magnitude will cost Sh500 billion.
The scheduled events during the summit are educational workshops, stakeholder engagement sessions and multilateral discussions on topics from financing and workforce development to supply chain preparedness.
The summit aims to underscore the opportunities nuclear power presents to reach Net Zero by 2050 and strengthen the robust ties between the US and Kenya.
At the end of the summit, a "Nairobi Declaration" will be made.
"There will be a session on Africa's industrial readiness, which is actually the main theme. We do not want to say we are starting a nuclear power plant yet African businesses are not ready to play any role because that will mean all the money will go to foreign firms," the CEO said.
"We want to raise awareness that there is big project coming and they should start planning for it...they can even start sending out their people to visit these countries which already have this technology to learn what is required."
Kenya's prospects during the meeting are high, with Wabuyabo saying they intend to get the local leaders and policymakers to understand what is expected of them.
They will also be seeking to address issues around stakeholder engagements considering there has been resistance among residents of Kilifi.
He said while resistance is normal when setting up such projects, they are planning to take representatives from the region, including leaders, to visit nuclear power plants to go and see how it coexists with the people.
During the first Accra meeting, participants engaged in critical dialogues on nuclear energy issues focusing on fostering international cooperation, sharing innovative solutions and shaping policies.
Wabuyabo told the Star recently Kenya is on milestone two, a stage where preparatory works are being undertaken for constructing the first power plant.
The activities to be conducted here include ensuring there are enough personnel, deciding how to finance it and ensuring there are necessary legal and regulatory frameworks in place.
In terms of cost-benefit analysis, Wabuyabo said while it is costly to put up such plants, a 1,000MW plant, for instance, is able to pay itself within a period of 15-20 years, yet it can operate for more than 80 years.
"It is a worthwhile investment," he said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency in which Kenya is a member has set out a 'Milestone Approach', which countries must adhere to.
“In 2032, we shall commission it if everything goes as planned and at this stage, we shall be said to have attained Milestone 3,” Wabuyabo said.
In each of the three phases, there are 19 nuclear infrastructure issues requiring specific actions, which a country must attain.
“We hope to conclude the invitation of bids in June 2026 and in 2027, we hope to invite the President to the groundbreaking for the inaugural nuclear power plant,” he said.
“We intend to put up a plant of 1,000 megawatts, which will be delivered in five years.”