East Africa to develop nuclear power?

22 March 2011

East Africa is set to embrace nuclear power as it seeks to improve its energy infrastructure in the future.

It is hoped the move towards this type of energy will lead to a reduction in the use of carbon-based fuels, the East African reports.

Permanent secretary in Kenya's ministry of energy Patrick Nyoike has said $2.5 million (£1.5 million) million has been set aside by the government in order to finance the sector in the current fiscal sector.

The country's main electricity producer KenGen is already looking for partners to develop nuclear power with.

"It is envisioned that by [2022 Kenya] could produce some 4,200 MW using nuclear," the news provider added.

As things stand, South Africa is the only country in the continent that has nuclear power and this is something that will be addressed in the future.

Some 18 per cent of known recoverable uranium resources in the world - which is used to create nuclear energy - is found in Africa.
 

Category: Energy