IAEA Presents Report To Energy Minister

Ghana's quest to generate nuclear power has gained momentum as International Atomic Energy Agency on, Wednesday submitted it's mission report on Ghana's Nuclear Power Programme to the Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko.

The report dubbed "Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Report" highlights steps and processes which had been taken so far by Ghana as far as nuclear power is concerned.

The programme has been categorised into three phases with the country almost through with the phase

1.

Ghana currently generates power through hydro, solar and thermal.

Nuclear Power is the use of nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy to generate heat, which most frequently is then used in steam turbines to produce electricity in a nuclear power plant.

Speaking at the official ceremony to present the Report, a Deputy Director General at the Nuclear Energy Department of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mr. Mikhail Chudakov noted that Ghana had made considerable progress in the development of its nuclear power infrastructure.

"I'm encouraged that even though Ghana is still in an early phase, Ghana has already enacted a comprehensive nuclear law, established an independent Nuclear Regulatory Authority, and is currently reviewing existing and developing appropriate new regulations,"he said.

Despite the significant number of studies Ghana had conducted, Mr Chudakov, noted that there were some key issues which has to be completed.

He urged the country to complete these studies in order to proceed with the development of the nuclear infrastructure to reach Milestone 1 to enable Ghana to make a knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear power programme.

Explaining the importance of nuclear energy, he said, nuclear power is a proven technology that can provide a stable, clean, low carbon, baseload electricity,adding that it creates better higher paying jobs than other types of energy sources.

Mr Chudakov pledged the commitment of IAEA to offer targeted technical assistance in key areas to Ghana as had been agreed in Vienna in March this year.

The Director General of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) Professor Benjamin J. B. Nyarko noted that, his outfit is poised to ensure fruition of the programme.

"We at GAEC are poised to ensure the successful implementation of the programme, " he said.

He expressed the readiness of his outfit in ensuring that all the outstanding issues regarding the phase 1 of the programme are addressed.

"I believe with strong government commitment and funding we can accomplish our task," Prof. Nyarko indicated.

On his part, the Minister of Energy Mr Boakye Agyarko noted that the decision to revive interest in nuclear energy and it's associated technologies followed the report of a Presidential Committee in 2007,which recommended the incorporation of nuclear power into the energy mix for Ghana.

"If we are to make significant gains in providing reliable energy, then all options, including nuclear energy must be considered. With the current level of growth in demand for energy, we can no longer rely solely on our traditional resources of generating power, " he stressed.

The sector Minister disclosed that over 40 nuclear power plants have been constructed world wide with 20 in China, 10 in Russia, 5 in USA, 2 in Japan and 1 in South Africa.

He assured that his outfit will study of the report and address the recommendations as proposed by the IAEA in the report.

He was hopeful that the construction works of Ghana's first Nuclear Power Plant which is the phase 3 of the nuclear agenda will commence according to our national nuclear roadmap.

The production of adequate electrical power , he argued would serve as a strong backbone for the West Africa Power Pool(WAPP).

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