African country has shortlisted two sites in western and central regions
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team has completed the agency’s first-ever site and external events design (Seed) review in Ghana, endorsing the West African nation’s initial steps toward constructing its first nuclear power plant.
The eight-day mission, from 14 to 21 February, assessed Ghana’s site selection process under the guidance of state nuclear company Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), the IAEA said in a statement.
Ghana has identified both a primary and an alternative site for the proposed nuclear facility, located in its Western and Central regions, respectively, said the IAEA.
The Seed team reviewed Ghana’s adherence to IAEA guidance on site selection including a selection report, relevant data collection, siting criteria, and the application of management systems, the IAEA said and added that the team also visited the candidate locations.
“We confirmed that both the implementing organisation and the management system are well-designed with the support of the government and that the site approval report has been systematically and thoroughly prepared,” said mission team leader Kazuyuki Nagasawa, a senior nuclear safety officer at the IAEA.
“This mission is of great importance to our nuclear power programme, as it ensures that our decisions are guided by international best practices,” said Stephen Yamoah, executive director of NPG.
The review team offered recommendations to further refine and optimise the selection process, citing factors such as earthquake susceptibility, flooding risks, extreme weather events, and emergency planning feasibility.
The IAEA’s Seed missions are tailored expert reviews that help countries address different development stages in a nuclear power programme. Ghana’s next challenge will be to conduct detailed site characterisation to verify that the chosen location meets stringent safety and suitability criteria.
Ghana will continue to receive technical support from the IAEA, following its guidelines and safety standards for surveying and approving nuclear installations, the agency said.
Ghana has never had commercial nuclear power, but according to the IAEA has safely operated a nuclear research facility for 24 years and has significant experience with the non-power application of nuclear technology, including in the medical and industrial fields.
The country has not specified whether it will deploy large-scale or small-scale nuclear plants. A technology vendor for the first new-build project was expected to be selected at the end of 2024.
Last year, Stephen Yamoah told NucNet NPG’s preferred location for a first plant was Atuapim/Nsuban, in the Western Region of the country, while a backup location is Obotan, in the Central Region.
