KEPCO in talks on 5.1 trillion won Kenya's first nuclear plant construction

Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) has begun detailed cooperation discussions with key Kenyan government officials on the construction of Kenya's first nuclear power plant, a project estimated at about 5.1 trillion won (about $3.8 billion). A delegation led by the head of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), which oversees Kenya's nuclear power projects, and the governor of the proposed site met with KEPCO executives in Korea. The Kenyan government is pushing to break ground in 2027 and is seeking to expand its partnership with KEPCO, noting the utility's proven construction capabilities at the Barakah nuclear plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to Justus Wabuyabo, CEO of Kenya's Nuclear Power and Energy Agency, the Kenyan delegation led by Wabuyabo met with KEPCO Executive Vice President Park Yong-kwon and Vice President Taghi Khan in Seoul on Oct. 29. They discussed strategic cooperation between the two countries for the construction of the first nuclear plant planned in Siaya County, Kenya.

Kenya is pursuing the construction of a 2,000-megawatt (MW) nuclear plant near Lake Victoria in Siaya County to meet rapidly growing electricity demand. The total project cost is estimated at 500 billion shillings (about 5.1 trillion won). The Kenyan government aims to begin construction in March next year and start commercial operation in 2034.

Kenya plans to increase its national power generation capacity from the current 3,300 MW to 10,000 MW within the next five to seven years, with 3,000 MW to come from nuclear energy. To this end, it has established cooperative relationships with global nuclear operating countries, including Korea, in areas such as technical workforce training.

Korea and Kenya are also continuing cooperation in workforce development for nuclear plant operation. NuPEA has signed education agreements with KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) and Seoul National University and has sent Kenyan students. Eight Kenyan personnel are currently receiving specialized nuclear-related training in Korea.

During the meeting, Wabuyabo praised KEPCO for safely completing the UAE Barakah nuclear project on budget and on schedule. "KEPCO's world-class technology is the standard of expertise and execution infrastructure that Kenya seeks to leverage as it builds a sustainable energy future," he said.

The presence of Siaya Governor James Orengo and Kenyan Ambassador to Korea Emmy Kipsoi in the delegation is also notable. Recently, some residents of Sakwa village in Siaya County have protested against the nuclear plant construction, citing concerns over radioactive waste disposal and relocation.

NuPEA has announced it will not build infrastructure without community consent and is conducting resident education and persuasion efforts. In this context, Governor Orengo, the local administrative head, visited Korea to discuss the nuclear project with KEPCO executives.

"Our joint efforts reflect a shared commitment to deliver safe, reliable, clean baseload power to drive Kenya's economic transformation," Wabuyabo said.

(Dollar figures are approximate, converted automatically at 1,000 won = $0.738, the rate on Nov. 8, 2026.)

※ This article is an AI translation of the Korean original published by Korea Credit News; it was checked by automated quality guards and published by the English edition desk.