Letters

LETTERS: Nuclear agency plays critical role in country

NUCLEAR

Radiotherapy unit at a hospital: The Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board co-ordinates all activities related to application of nuclear technology. FILE PHOTO | NMG

I would like to respond to an editorial published in the Thursday September 27,2018 edition of the Business Daily under the headline “Forget nuclear investment.”

The editorial alluded to the high levels of investment, technology and security required for efficient, reliable and safe operation of nuclear power facilities and queries why such considerations have not moderated Kenya’s determination to acquire the technology. For the record, the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board (KNEB) was formed in 2012.

Its purpose is to undertake the preparatory activities required for introduction of nuclear electricity generation in Kenya. This has included undertaking a prefeasibility study, which encompassed nineteen key considerations such as nuclear safety and security, radiation protection, development of legal and regulatory framework, emergency planning, nuclear security, radioactive waste management, stakeholder and industrial involvement, environmental protection, site and supporting facilities as well as the development of a national position on the issue of nuclear energy.

The prefeasibility study which was completed in 2013 was undertaken in close collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Further, the IAEA conducted a comprehensive assessment of Kenya’s readiness for nuclear power, a process known as the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review in 2015. The scorecard was presented to the government of Kenya in April 2016. It highlighted various positive steps and achievements and gave recommendations on how to progress effectively based on benchmarks set by other nuclear power newcomer and operating countries. The Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board also spearheaded a grid study to gauge the readiness of the transmission system for nuclear power. KNEB is currently undertaking siting studies to identify suitable potential sites for nuclear power development In Kenya as well as a Strategic Environmental Assessment of Kenya’s nuclear power progamme.

This is running in tandem with the development of a human resource development plan identifying the skills and competencies required, training needs and optimisation. Indeed, more than 20 students have completed graduate studies in Nuclear Power Engineering in South Korea.

All this is testament that the country is considering all aspects involved in a nuclear power programme to ensure safe, reliable and seamless application.The preparatory stages of a nuclear power programme takes a minimum of fifteen years.

This pre-project phase includes meticulous planning on all aspects including decision on the technology to be used, identifying a location for the plant and developing the legal and regulatory framework. The actual construction of a nuclear power plant takes about six years.

The editorial further advances the view that KNEB is “among the cost centres the taxpayer can ill afford to continue financing.”

For the record, the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board is the National Liaison Office for the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In this role, it co-ordinates all activities in Kenya related to application of nuclear technology. Thus, projects with the International Atomic Energy Agency in the health sector such as in oncology (cancer treatment) and radiology, agriculture in food production, development of disease resistant crop varieties, irrigation in the water sector, as well as those in education, research, science, technology and innovation are helmed by the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board.

It is important to note that Kenya has been a member of the IAEA since 1965 and has been applying nuclear technology in various fields since then. Looking forward, besides nuclear power for electricity generation, The Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board is involved in plans for the development of a research reactor.

A research reactor would provide medical isotopes for treatment of various illnesses, reducing cost of medical care and the need to seek treatment overseas. Currently, Kenya imports its medical isotopes. In addition, a research reactor would be used for research and learning by institutions of higher education.

Another corollary of nuclear facilities is water desalination plants.

These would provide water not just for nuclear power plants or associated facilities but also for local communities. Indeed, it would radically alter the narrative of sufficient potable water supply especially for communities in coastal areas near the Indian Ocean.

In sum, the Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board has a broad remit encompassing undertaking the preparatory work toward nuclear power generation in Kenya but also co-ordination of the application of nuclear technology in various fields and disciplines. It is a weighty and significant role that requires support, adequate funding and goodwill.

Collins Juma, CEO, Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board.