Uganda plans to identify potential partners in the coming year to develop East Africa’s first nuclear power station, which may cost as much as $9bn (€9.2bn) as the country moves to boost electricity generation, reports said.

The government is working with China, Russia and the US as it seeks investors, according to energy ministry permanent secretary Irene Batebe.

Construction of the 2,000 MW station, which could be operational by 2031, may occur in two phases due to the expected cost, she said at a conference in Kampala, the capital.