IAEA to review NPG’s sites in 2024

Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) has increased the steps towards setting up the country’s first nuclear power plant by collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a site and external design assessment known as the SEED Mission. This evaluation allows IAEA experts to analyze NPG’s site activities, identify any gaps, and conduct thorough site characterization.

SEED mission
SEED is a bundled peer review service designed to assist the IAEA’s Member States in the different stages of life of nuclear installations including power plants, research reactors, advanced reactors, and others based on IAEA Safety Standards and Guidelines.

According to the Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana, the NPG has taken the processes leading to the establishment of the country’s first nuclear power plant a notch higher as it is currently working with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) after request to carry out site and external design mission. Known as Seed Mission, this assessment will afford IAEA experts the opportunity to review NPG’s sites activities, fill in gaps up to the point of the most preferred one, followed by detailed sites characterisation.

IAEA’s review

In addition to IAEA’s assessment of potential nuclear power plant sites at the request of NPG, vendor engagement is a key focus for NPG in 2024. This implies that apart from IAEA’s review of nuclear power plants sites under consideration based on request tabled by NPG, the vendor engagement is very high on the agenda of the NPG for 2024.

During a visit to Boti Falls in the Eastern Region as part of Ghana Month celebrations, Executive Director Dr. Stephen Yamoah stated, “Our main focus this year is finalizing vendor arrangements. We have made significant progress since 2021, evaluating proposals and engaging in discussions regarding technologies, support, financing, and Ghana’s capabilities.”

Dr. Yamoah emphasized the target of working with the Government of Ghana and Energy Ministry to select a vendor and technology this year.

Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana

Speaking on the sidelines of the tour of Boti Falls in the Eastern Region by the staff of NPG as part of Ghana Month celebration, Executive Director Dr. Stephen Yamoah also told African Editors that “The other major thing is the vendor arrangements we started in 2021 and we’ve advanced a lot. Beyond the evaluation of the proposals that we’ve received from vendors last year, we had series of meetings with them. We’re targeting to make very firm decision. This is to have conversation on technologies, supports, financing arrangements, conditions associated, and Ghana’s capability in this regard”.

For Dr. Yamoah, “Working with government of Ghana and Energy Ministry, the target this year is to make the decision on the choice of a vendor and the technology needed”.

Meanwhile, Former GridCo CEO Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah emphasized the urgent need for large baseload plants to address energy generation gaps. He urged the government to expedite the establishment of nuclear power plants by 2030 to avoid blackouts and meet the country’s increasing energy demands.

Contributing to the discussion, the former Chief Executive Officer of GridCo and Board Member of Nuclear Power Institute, Ing. Jonathan Amoako-Baah has urged government to set up very big baseload plants to cater for gaps and shortfalls in the country’s energy generation sector.

According to Ing. Amoako-Baah, there is urgent need for government to fast-track processes for establishment of nuclear power plants by 2030.

“We need the power to do so many things and not blackouts”, Ing. Amoako-Baah told African Editors.