Ghana has selected the United States and China as partners for the development of its inaugural nuclear power plants, representing a pivotal advancement in the country’s efforts to incorporate nuclear energy into its energy portfolio. However, formal agreements have yet to be finalized.
NuScale Power, based in the U.S., along with Regnum Technology Group and Japanese collaborators, will be responsible for the construction of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Meanwhile, the China National Nuclear Corporation will oversee the establishment of a Large Reactor (LR).
This announcement was made by Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana, during a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday, March 26.
Dr. Yamoah indicated that the LR will have a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, while the SMRs will comprise 12 modules, each producing 77 megawatts, culminating in a total capacity of 924 megawatts.
The LR will operate under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) financial model that includes local equity participation, whereas the financing for the SMRs will be arranged through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
Ghana has entered into a framework agreement with the selected vendors, and environmental and oceanographic assessments are currently being conducted to identify suitable locations for the plants.
Mr. Archibold Buah-Kwofi, Acting Director of the Nuclear Power Institute, highlighted the necessity for reliable and cost-effective electricity to foster national development. He pointed out that Ghana’s current energy mix is heavily reliant on fossil fuels and hydroelectric power, with renewable sources contributing a mere one percent. “We must expedite the integration of nuclear power to ensure our energy security,” he asserted, underscoring the need for robust regulatory frameworks and a skilled workforce.
The government aims to incorporate one gigawatt of nuclear energy into the national grid by 2034. The new plant is anticipated to facilitate industrial growth, compensate for diminishing hydroelectric resources, reduce electricity costs for industries, enable desalination efforts, and generate employment opportunities.
The process of selecting a vendor began with a preliminary group of 16 companies, which was subsequently reduced to five, leading to the final selection of two. Ghana’s aspirations for nuclear energy trace back to the 1960s but were interrupted by a coup.
In 2006, the initiative was reestablished with assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ghana is now among several African countries exploring nuclear energy as a means to tackle power shortages and stimulate economic development.
