GHANA TO ADD NUCLEAR POWER TO INCREASE ENERGY EXPORT

Ghana is the process of exploring a nuclear power programme in its power mix, as it strives to become a major net exporter of energy in the West African sub region, says the Deputy Minister of Energy, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini.

Alhaji Fuseini said government has targeted the utilisation of nuclear power to supply adequate, reliable and affordable electricity for the sustainable development within the West African sub region.

The intervention is geared towards increasing the total installation capacity of electricity generation, currently at 2000 megawatt, to 5000 megawatt in 2015.

The Deputy Minister who was speaking at a five-day meeting on 'Cooperation and Networking for Nuclear Power Programme in Africa' in Accra said government would also consider the use of available energy sources such as gas, large scale hydro and renewable to meet the target.

“In the long term, particularly 10 years and beyond, our energy needs are expected to far exceed the above set target as our commercial and industrial activities increase”, Alhaji Fuseini said.

The international conference, under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the African Regional in collaboration with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) is geared towards strengthening collaboration and networking among member countries in order to maximise the use of available African infrastructure and expertise in nuclear power and related fields.

Alhaji said the utilization of nuclear power involves careful planning to address major issues such as financing, siting, safety and human resource development.

According to him, currently, a unit within the Ministry of Energy a Nuclear Power section, had been set up in collaboration with the GAEC to deal with all the issues associated with the planning and implementation of a nuclear power programme.

The Energy Ministry is also taking the necessary steps to establish and inaugurate the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementation Organisation, which is to coordinate the activities of stakeholder institutions involved with the planning of the nuclear power project as recommended by the IAEA.

The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Deputy Director, Dr Kwame Aboh stated that the construction of nuclear power reactors worldwide is increasing, with 67 reactors under construction located in Asia.

Dr Aboh says concerns have been raised about the deficiencies in areas such as the inadequate human resource base, environmental safety and high construction cost of nuclear power plants.