CNECC President Li Xiaohong exchange documents with Nupea CEO Justus Wabuyabo as Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and other top officials look on the during the signing of MoU between the two at Kawi complex on March 19, 2025/DOUGLAS OKIDDYKenya and China have signed a milestone Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on nuclear energy development, marking a significant step toward Kenya’s ambition of establishing its first nuclear power plant.
The agreement between Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (Nupea) and China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation (CNECC) signed Wednesday outlines cooperation in research, innovation, and technology transfer.
The main focus will be on building technical expertise in nuclear energy implementation.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi witnessed the signing of the agreement by Nupea CEO Justus Wabuyabo and CNECC President Li Xiaohong at the Ministry of Energy offices.
Also present were the Agency’s board chairperson Ezra Odhiambo, the Technical and Research Committee of the Board Director Arthur Koteng and NuPEA management team.
To oversee the partnership, a joint working group will be established to ensure alignment with both countries' regulatory frameworks and interests.
The MOU aims to enhance Kenya’s capacity in nuclear infrastructure development, covering 19 key elements essential for a sustainable nuclear power program.
Kenya is currently in Phase 2 of the Nuclear power programme whose implementation is currently steered by Nupea.
This partnership is expected to accelerate Kenya’s progress toward diversifying its energy mix and ensuring long-term energy security.
The signing and execution of the MoU, Wabuyabo said, has received key approvals from the office of the Attorney General and Treasury.
"Both of them have raised no objection to the signing and execution of the agreement, paving the way for its full implementation," he said.
He added: “collaborations and partnerships are central for guiding the country in deliberations on suitable technology for the country for consideration in the implementation of the nuclear power programme.”
Nupea is the entity designated as the Nuclear Energy Power Implementing Organization (NEPIO) responsible for promoting the development of nuclear electricity generation in Kenya.
Nupea has adopted the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Milestones Approach as the guideline for developing nuclear infrastructure.
The 19 infrastructure issues covered by the Milestones Approach include human resource development which involves training and developing skilled personnel for nuclear power plants and regulatory frameworks.
It also touches on grid infrastructure, site selection, technology assessment, public education and stakeholder engagement, and legal and legislative framework.
Kenyan has set focus on 2027 to launch the development of a 1,000 megawatt plant.
Its implementation offers a unique combination of reliability, affordability and low carbon emissions, making it an indispensable component of the country’s energy future.
“Access to clean, environmentally friendly, reliable, and sustainable energy is essential for achieving the government’s vision 2030 and the bottom-up economic transformation agenda,” ex-Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said in a past event.
The government is currently training Kenyans in nuclear-related courses both locally and abroad.
It has also developed legal and regulatory frameworks for a nuclear power programme which he pointed out is a catalyst for economic growth, a driver of technological innovation, and a cornerstone of efforts to combat climate change.
The 2023-2027 plan launched by the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) provides a clear strategy for the development of requisite infrastructure for the construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of nuclear facilities safely and securely.
