Investing in the future: Ghana’s commitment to nuclear energy

Nuclear power is a valuable energy source that has been providing clean, reliable electricity.

According to the IEA, nuclear power accounts for about 10% of electricity generation globally, rising to almost 20% in advanced economies. NPPs can operate continuously for long periods of time, providing a stable and consistent source of electricity to meet the demands of our modern society.

One of the key benefits of nuclear power is its low environmental impact. Unlike fossil fuels, which release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, nuclear power is a clean energy source that produces minimal air pollution. This is particularly important in the combat against climate change, as nuclear power plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the effects of global warming.

In addition, nuclear energy gives an opportunity to diversify country’s energy mix. This helps in balancing out the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and in ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to meet society’s growing energy needs.

Moreover, nuclear technology is used in a variety of non-energy applications that benefit society in unique and important ways. One such application of nuclear technology is in the field of medicine.

Kirill Komarov, Deputy General Director for Development and International Business of Rosatom, once mentioned the application of nuclear technology in this field: “Rosatom is developing all areas of nuclear medicine, from the production of isotopes to the creation of high-tech medical centers.

Rosatom develops medical technology and equipment. Our most popular products in overseas markets are cyclotrons, gamma therapeutic units and nitric oxide therapy devices. We also offer multifunctional centers that can be used for both the sterilisation of medical products and the processing of agricultural products, which significantly increases the shelf life.

It is an extremely pressing issue for Africa, where 20% of the population suffers from hunger. One of the products in the Multipurpose Irradiation Centre, which provides for reducing food losses and increasing products shelf life.

Its potential services include, but are not limited to, the following: sterilisation of medical goods, disinsection and inhibition of food and agricultural products, modification of materials’ properties, shelf-life increases of food and agricultural products, physical and chemical changes in the properties of gases and liquids.”

Historical pathway for the development of nuclear power in Ghana

Ghana’s Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) focuses on transformation of the country’s economy from its current low income status into a middle income. This requires environmentally friendly and reliable source of electricity.

Ghana‘s electricity demand has been growing at a high rate of about 7% per year over the last ten years. This is due to the relatively high population growth, economic ambitions of the country, and the extension of electricity to rural areas.

High dependency on rain-fed hydropower plants, which currently account for about 68% of the total installed capacity, can’t meet this demand. Within the last 28 years, climatic changes and draughts resulting in low inflows have caused the nation to experience three major power crises.

To complement the country’s energy mix, the government in 1997 installed thermal plants based on crude oil. However, these plants are very expensive because of the high crude oil prices on the international market.

It is worth saying that Ghana has no domestic coal resources and the government is concerned with environmental issues associated with its use.

Considering these factors, the president of Ghana set up a committee to formulate the Nuclear Power Policy and develop the basic elements of Nuclear Infrastructure and assess the viability of introducing the nuclear power option in country’s energy mix. Cabinet took a decision to include nuclear power for electricity generation after the Committee submitted his report to the president in 2008.

Nuclear legislative system in Ghana

The legislative framework for nuclear energy generation has two aspects — national and international. At the national level, the existing legislative framework for radiation, waste, transport safety, environmental protection, etc.

These include environmental matters (e.g., air and water quality and wildlife protection), the health and safety of workers, the export and import of nuclear material, insurance for nuclear damage, emergency management, taxation and much more.

Nowadays, the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme Organisation (GNPPO), made up of  government institutions, private companies, academia and these three key organisations: Nuclear Regulatory Authority (Regulator), Nuclear Power Ghana (Owner-Operator), the Ghana Atomic Energy Comission (GAEC), and the Nuclear Power Institute (Technical Know-how and Support). The GARC was established in 1963, as the only agency in the country responsible for all matters relating to peaceful uses of atomic energy. GNPPO is chaired by the Ministry of Energy.

To provide a structured approach, Ghana has devised a National Nuclear Power Program Action Plan (NNPPAP), which acts as a strategic roadmap for the systematic implementation of the nuclear power program.

Ghana’s current nuclear ambitions

In a series of different agreements, Ghana embarked on a path towards the peaceful utilisation of nuclear power. In 2012, the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia, and in 2015, countries formalised their collaboration through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA).

In 2016, Ghana signed a similar document with China, focusing on the enhancement of infrastructure and human resource development within the nuclear sector. In 2018, the nation continued to strengthen its commitment to nuclear energy by signing the MoU with South Korea.

These agreements demonstrate Ghana’s commitment to advancing international cooperation in this vital area and using nuclear technology for peaceful ends.

Ghana is geographically situated near the Atlantic Ocean. Floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs) could be a solution to the country’s energy problems. FNPPs are a new and innovative way to generate electricity using nuclear energy.

These NPPs have the potential to provide clean and reliable energy to remote areas or regions with limited access to traditional power sources.

“Africa has a vast and diverse coastline that stretches along both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The total length of Africa’s coastline is approximately 30,500 kilometres. Floating SMR solutions epitomise our dedication to providing tailormade energy solutions for Africa. A unique advantage of Rosatom’s optimised floating nuclear power plants lies in their mobility, enabling power generation to be strategically located along the coastline, close to Africa’s major ports, and easily increased as more power is required.

This breakthrough innovation now presents the opportunity to efficiently wheel power from the nearest port to the end user, minimising transmission losses and enhancing the reliability of electricity supply to this highly industrialised and populous region.

By leveraging this capability, Africa can mitigate the challenges associated with power cuts and address the escalating demand for  electricity,” Kirill Komarov, Deputy General Director for Development and International Business of Rosatom, mentioned.

As Ghana moves forward with its plans for nuclear energy, it is clear that the country is committed to a sustainable and secure energy future. Nuclear power is a clean, reliable, and efficient source of electricity, and Ghana can meet its growing energy demands while reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.