The Member of Parliament for Dormaa East who is also a member of the Mines and Energy Committee in Parliament , Paul Apraku Twum Barimah, has indicated that building a Nuclear Power Plant in Ghana would help to improve and sustain energy production for the long term and at a cheaper cost. He said it would also FastTrack the industrialization agenda of the country because cost involved in operating a nuclear energy is far lower compared to thermal energy.
Speaking in an interview with the media, the vibrant legislator noted that building a nuclear power plant can make a positive economic impact on society and the country at large.
Experts say it will take about six years to build a big nuclear power plant.
Paul Twum Barimah noted that Ghana going into a nuclear power plant project would bring a positive economic impact, fastrack industrialization and some financial backings, including technology transfer, risk mitigation, and quality power applications that look at license operators, mechanical systems, and instrumentation control maintenance.
He said nuclear power would play a key part in addressing Ghana’s energy needs while mitigating against climate change, inequality and unemployment.
According to him, South Korea and Ghana started on same pace of development but South Korea has transformed into a developed status due to its high dependence on nuclear energy in 1964, South Korea identified its site for a nuclear power plant, and in 1965 they mounted their first meteo power at a prepared site. In 2008, 20 nuclear power plants were in operation in South Korea. South Korea is one of the countries that took the technology to improve their society. They produce almost all the reactor vessels in the world but we started with them”.
Explaining the benefits of nuclear energy, Paul Twum Barimah described it as one of the most low-carbon energy sources that also has one of the smallest carbon footprints. “It’s one of the answers to the energy gap, It’s essential to our response to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions and its reliable and cost-effective.”
Experts indicate that although nuclear power stations take considerable investment to build, they have low running costs and longevity. This means they are particularly cost-effective.
Nuclear energy isn’t only low-carbon, it’s also reliable when compared to other low-carbon options.
According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), a nuclear power plant can function for about 60 years. But the universal quest to maintain a sustainable environment is life-saving. The climate crisis is already ongoing and to postpone alternatives to fossil fuels is to quicken the destruction of lives and the environment.
As such many African countries are at various levels of implementing nuclear power plans as part of the continent’s role in sustainable global development. More than 20 countries have said they are interested in pursuing nuclear power yet these seven are closest to the dream:
sSouth Africa
South Africa is the only African country running substantial nuclear power generation for electricity. The Rainbow Nation has a nuclear power plant in Koeberg, near Cape Town.
Egypt
When Egypt is done with its 4.8 gigawatts nuclear power plant, it would have built one of the largest nuclear power generation points in the world. The $25 billion project is expected to be completed in 2029 although Egyptians are likely to have nuclear power by 2026.
Algeria
Algeria’s nuclear power plans are far advanced for the country to commission a plant soon. Algeria already operates a nuclear reactor.
Ghana
Ghana has operated a nuclear reactor since 1994. The country was one of the earliest in Africa to announce plans of nuclear power generation in the late 1990s but plans stalled. Now, new intentions suggest the West Africans could generate nuclear power before 2030.
Morocco
Morocco also started talking about nuclear power for electricity in the 1990s but it would seem successive governments deemed it was too much of economic risk. Now, the country seems ready and has been liaising with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the commencement of the project.
Kenya
Kenya says it will soon begin construction on a plant to generate one gigawatt of nuclear power. This is after a policy document on the project is approved.
Nigeria
Nigeria is another nation in Africa apart from Ghana and South Africa in sub-Sahara to operate a nuclear reactor. The country is looking to switch to nuclear power by 2040, with plans to build a 2.4 gigawatt plan
