The Kenyan state-run Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) will require around $22.7 million (3 billion Kenyan shillings) in 2026 and about $60 million (8 billion Kenyan shillings) in 2027 from the country's treasury for the nation's first nuclear research reactor project, the media reported.
The sum will cover 40% of the initial cost of the project, the outlet noted, adding that the initiative will foster the country's economic growth.
According to the agency's recently launched 2023-2027 strategic plan, various fields, including healthcare, education and training, energy, research, and industry, would benefit from the reactor, the report said.
"The main utilization envisaged includes: enhancing national research and development capabilities and intergovernmental collaborations; improving and encouraging industrial competitiveness; enhancing material structure study for various applications; quality in material design and manufacturing; production of radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications; improving calibration and testing services for industrial and medical instruments; and education and training of students and staff of various institutions," NuPEA was quoted by the media as saying.
According to the outlet, NuPEA will need a total of $246 million (32.5 billion Kenyan shillings) to implement its five-year plan. Around 0,26 square kilometers (65 acres) at the Konza Technopolis in the southern part of the country have already been acquired by the agency for the construction of the reactor and other facilities at the nuclear research center.
In 2026, Kenya reportedly hopes to begin work on commissioning its first research reactor, with the goal of completing the project between 2030 and 2034.
In September 2023, NuPEA disclosed that it plans to build a 1,000 MWe nuclear facility in Kenya's towns of Kilifi and Kwale.