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"content": "US$23,000 when I think we are hovering at about US$900 per capita . They have a GDP of over US$1.1 trillion when I think Kenya has around US$36 billion or US$37 billion. Yet in 1960s, we are the ones who gave them aid. So, we chose South Korea for a variety of reasons. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we also took note that one of the main things that enabled South Korea to achieve economic prowess was because of their energy policy. They have cheap, reliable and competitive energy. All those who know about economic activities know that the cost component of energy is between 40 to 60 per cent. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when we went to South Korea we noted that in one generation, they became what they are today. In the energy requirements, Kenya today has 1,500 megawatts. It is a pity that 50 years after Independence, we have only 1,500 megawatts. This is basically composed of hydro and thermal generation. The other day, you heard that we had an energy day or an energy conference where the Government pledged that in 40 months, they will achieve an energy requirement of 5,000 megawatts. That component will comprise geothermal which is the “sexiest’ form of energy, coal and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Now, it is important that we note this; putting in Kenya coal, LNG and geothermal to be part and parcel of the 5,000 megawatts component is mainly because of the competitiveness of those three resources. We will also have, of course, wind and solar. With all that, we will have what we call ‘green energy’ and the ones which are not so green. What is important to note is that in our base load and in our mix, it is important that we bring down the energy prices so that Kenya can be competitive. We have to compete, if not beat countries like Egypt and South Africa. It is imperative that we do so if we hope to achieve our Vision 2030, which is to be a middle income economy by 2030. Today, we only have 1,500 megawatts which is basically hydro and thermal. By 2030, we hope to have 17,000 megawatts of power. These sources of power are extremely expensive, with thermal costing about US$17 cents per kilowatt hour while hydro cost US$14 cents per kilowatt hour. So, how do we achieve that? That was the basis of our visit to South Korea. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, another objective of our visit to South Korea was to see exactly how they did it and what technologies they used. We were impressed by what we saw there. South Korea moved from 373 megawatts, which they had in the 1960s, to 82,000 megawatts which they have today. This shows that they have got their policies right. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when you talk about nuclear energy, for lack of a better word, you get what is called ‘heebie-jeebies.’ This is where people become extremely concerned. People become extremely worried and apprehensive. With nuclear energy, one has to be extremely careful. We, as a Committee, agree this is the cheapest, but the most destructive when things go wrong. It has to be handled with great care. We are looking at 17,000 megawatts by 2030. South Korea gets 33 per cent from nuclear energy. The other great component of theirs is coal energy and hydro energy which they import. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there are steps to be taken before we can achieve nuclear energy. The process from today to the day you switch on a nuclear reactor will"
}