Nuclear power, only way to go

A recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a financial advisory firm says Nairobi is the most attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa, relative to some of the largest cities in the continent. It also indicates that Nairobi is a regional financial services hub, only rivalled by South Africa’s commercial capital, Johannesburg. To attract more investors into investing into the country and more specifically in the city, there must be enough power in form of electricity.

Currently the production of electricity is shorter than the supply. The country produces only 1,700 MW of electricity while the country consumes more than 1,900 MW of electricity. It means therefore that the country is forced to import electricity from the neighboring Uganda. There is low supply of energy and this has contributed to lack of major investments in the sector by the private sector and general investments as a whole.

High power loses and low voltages have contributed to high tariffs. This, together with other factors such as insecurity has shunned away the potential investments in the country.

Currently installed hydro power will be able to produce only a maximum of 3000 MW of electricity. The wind power producing 5.45 MW while economic benefits offered by solar technologies among the population are not enough to also support the manufacturing industries.

Geothermal seems like the remaining alternative since the hydro power which depends on rainfall is nearing its capacity. With current trends of drought experienced in the country, it is clear enough that hydroelectric power does not have a good future.

Geothermal energy is estimated that it will produce a range of about 7000 to 10000 MW of electricity. However, this will not be enough as the estimated consumption in the country is expected to be 17,000 MW. In order to bridge this gap and for Kenya to achieve middle-income status, nuclear energy has been determined to be the best way to produce  safe, clean, reliable and base load electricity.