7393. Review of the SESA for the Nuclear Power Programme - Kenya

The National Environmental Management Authorities of Kenya (NEMA) have requested the NCEA to review the SESA for Kenya’s Nuclear Power Programme. The purpose is to assess the quality of the process, provide information and report, for improved decision making. The SESA is prepared by Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA). In addition to Mr Kolhoff, Ms Dortant was also involved in this project as Technical Secretary.

Advisory reports and other documents

Significant details

The Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA) of Kenya is developing a national nuclear power programme, which compromises a nuclear power plant, a nuclear research reactor, and a uranium exploration plan. To support decision-making, an SESA was done. At the request of the National Environmental Management Authorities (NEMA), the NCEA has reviewed the SESA.

During our site visit, it also became clear that a significant amount of work has been done. The SESA Report has been made in a period during which the nuclear power legislation in Kenya was under development. However, the NCEA concludes that the SESA Report does not meet IAEA standards of SESA good practice and therefore does not constitute a basis for well-informed decision-making. The SESA Report needs key revisions.

The NCEA made several recommendations for improvement, along the topics of:

• Communication and stakeholder engagement 

• Justification of nuclear energy 

• Impact areas 

• Alternative options and mitigation measures 

• Main siting and technological considerations 

• Construction, operation and decommissioning 

• Nuclear fuel cycle 

• Wider physical infrastructure requirements.

These recommendations and other detailed observations are available in the full advisory report. 

Parties involved

Members of the working group

Chair: Simone Filippini
Technical secretary: Arend Kolhoff & Emmy Dortant

Further details

Country: Kenya

Last modified: 20 Dec 2024