By Albert Oppong-Ansah, GNA
On March 27, Accra – The Ghana News Agency reported that Ghana has chosen the United States and China as suppliers for its initial nuclear power facilities; however, no official agreement has been finalized yet.
NuScale Power based in the United States and Regnum Technology Group, along with their Japanese partners, plan to construct Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Meanwhile, China National Nuclear Corporation will be responsible for building a Large Reactor (LR).
Dr. Stephen Yamoah, the Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana, revealed this information to the Ghana News Agency during a media engagement in Accra on Wednesday.
He stated that the LR project will have a capability of 1,200 megawatts, whereas the SMR units will consist of 12 modules with each producing 77 megawatts, amounting to a combined total of 924 megawatts.
Dr. Yamoah stated that the LR would adopt a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) financing approach, including local investment involvement, whereas the funding for the SMRs would be facilitated via Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Ghana has entered into a framework agreement with the suppliers, and specialists are collecting environmental and marine information to identify the site for the facility.
Mr. Archibold Buah-Kwofi, who serves as the Acting Director of the Nuclear Power Institute, emphasized the importance of having reliable and cost-effective power sources for the country’s progress. He pointed out that Ghana’s current energy supply predominantly depends on fossil fuels and hydropower, with only one percent coming from renewable resources.
“We must expedite the implementation of nuclear power to ensure our energy security,” he stated, emphasizing the necessity for strong regulatory systems and competent personnel.
It is anticipated that nuclear power will lessen dependence on fossil fuels, alleviate climate change impacts, and improve energy security.
The administration aims to incorporate one gigawatt of nuclear energy into the electricity grid by the year 2034.
The facility will aid in industrialization, offset the reduction in hydraulic resources, reduce electricity rates for businesses, facilitate water desalination, and generate employment opportunities.
The choice of vendors was made after an extensive procedure, beginning with 16 submissions in response to the government’s request.
A technical group, under the guidance of the Energy Ministry, narrowed down the options from five to select the final two.
Ghana’s pursuit of nuclear technology, which was halted due to a coup in the 1960s, was reignited in 2006 with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Several African countries are aiming for nuclear energy as a solution to their power issues and to boost economic development.
GNA
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