Tag Archives: environment

NUCLEAR ELECTRICITY | Kenya’s Nuclear Energy Project

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In December 31, 1879, Thomas Edison remarked, “We will make electricity so cheap that only the rich can afford to burn candles”. Kenya’s development agenda Vision 2030 highlights the increase in demand for electricity. Although politically motivated, our ambition to quench the electricity thirst with nuclear power serves as a reminder that we are yet to live up to the dreams of Thomas Edison.

Japan’s nuclear power crisis has ignited a conversation on the country’s seriousness to develop our nuclear energy potential. In this time of rampant global economic growth especially among BRIC nations, there is an even greater need to find new sources of energy, especially green energy sources. Our economy is the 10th largest economy in Africa and will be second to South Africa in developing nuclear energy in the African continent. This development  will be a green solution that will address commercial and residential energy needs. As we explore green energy solutions, we need to remind ourselves the true cost; financial, life or otherwise incurred as we address our insatiable thirst for energy.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJfIbBDR3e8

Our Nuclear Electricity Development Project Executive Chairman Ochilo Ayacko was quoted saying “the incident in Japan only served as a lesson on the safety measures Kenya would adopt”. In the history of nuclear power production there have been several accidents many of which involve human loss and civilian exposure to radiation resulting in generational health defects. The safety of civilians and our environment must be placed above all else, however a good solution for Kenya must also accommodate the long-term storage of radio active waste, a bi-product of nuclear power production. As Kenyans we should ask ourselves, does our plan address our long-term energy needs, safety of our people, safety of our environment (both catastrophic meltdowns and nuclear waste storage), our sovereignty and a comprehensive cost breakdown of green and sustainable alternatives?

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