IAEA To Start Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission In Ghana

An IAEA team of experts has started an Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission in Ghana. The aim of the visit is to evaluate the status of major infrastructure issues with regard to the Ghanaian desire to embark upon the way to develop nuclear power. In particular the experts will evaluate status of legal and regulatory frameworks, nuclear safety and security, radioactive waste management, human resource development, stakeholder involvement, the capacity of the electrical grid and several others.

Although there are no NPPs in Ghana, the country has competences in nuclear technology, and the country realizes the importance of development of peaceful nuclear program. Ghana is developing the National Nuclear Power Program and has conducted self-assessment of its nuclear infrastructure in accordance with the IAEA standards.

According to Ghana’s Ministry of Energy about 76% of Ghana's population has access to the electricity. This is the second results in sub-Saharan Africa. However, according to the estimates of Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research of Ghana would lose from $ 320 million to $ 924 million a year because of the crisis in the energy system. It is also noted that due to the power distribution problems the country is losing between 2% and 6% of GDP.

The commitment to guarantee sustainable electricity supply made the Government of Ghana to consider inclusion of nuclear energy into its future energy mix. In 2012 Russian State Corporation ROSATOM and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Ghana signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the peaceful use of atomic energy. The memorandum provides for a number of specific areas of the cooperation, including assistance in building up the infrastructure to support nuclear power development in the Republic of Ghana. The development of nuclear energy will help overcome energy shortage, as well as provide a necessary impetus for economic development in the country.

In 2016 ROSATOM and representatives of relevant agencies of the Republic of Ghana held the first meeting of the Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) as part of implementation of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the peaceful use of atomic energy as of June 2, 2015.

The high-level meeting agenda included all key issues related to the preparation for the implementation of Ghanaian own nuclear power program: infrastructure, staff training, financing, technical issues related to construction of facilities for the joint projects and regulation in the nuclear power industry. The second JCC meeting will take place in 2017.

About Rosatom:
ROSATOM is the Russian state atomic energy corporation bringing together over 262 000 people in 350 enterprises and scientific institutions including all Russian civil nuclear companies, research organizations and the world’s only nuclear-propelled icebreaker fleet. With 70 years' expertise in the nuclear field, ROSATOM remains its leader. ROSATOM is #1 in the world simultaneously implementing projects of NPPs construction.

About INIR Missions:
Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review missions enable IAEA Member State representatives to have in-depth discussions with international experts about experiences and best practices in developing nuclear power infrastructure. The results of the INIR mission are expected to help the Member State to develop an action plan to fill any gaps, which in turn will help complete the development of the national nuclear infrastructure.