Ghana Advances Nuclear Power Plans with Successful IAEA Site Selection Review

Ghana is pursuing nuclear power to expand its low-carbon energy production, meet growing electricity demand, enhance energy security, and combat climate change.

An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has completed an eight-day safety review of Ghana's site selection process for its first nuclear power plant (NPP). This review, conducted from February 14 to 21, assessed Ghana's compliance with IAEA safety standards and guidelines for selecting a site suitable for nuclear energy development. Ghana is pursuing nuclear power to expand its low-carbon energy production, meet growing electricity demand, enhance energy security, and combat climate change.

The Site and External Events Design Review Service (SEED) mission marked the first of its kind in Ghana and evaluated the country's methodologies for identifying appropriate sites. Ghana successfully completed its site selection process and has identified both a primary candidate site and an alternative site for its inaugural NPP. The next step involves site characterization, a critical stage that will further assess the suitability of the chosen locations.

Commissioned at the request of the Ghanaian government, the SEED mission was hosted by Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) under the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition. The review team comprised four international experts from Pakistan, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with an IAEA staff member. Their assessment included a thorough examination of the site selection report, siting criteria, data collection processes, and the application of the management system for site selection activities. The team also visited and observed the proposed candidate site in the Western Region and the alternative site in the Central Region.

In addition to the SEED mission, the IAEA conducted a SEED Capacity Building Workshop to support Ghana's site evaluation efforts. This workshop facilitated knowledge exchange between external experts and local stakeholders, fostering discussions that will contribute to future progress in Ghana's nuclear power program.

"We confirmed that both the implementing organization 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. Ghana followed the IAEA safety standards while performing the site selection process," stated Kazuyuki Nagasawa, Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA and leader of the mission team.

The IAEA team provided recommendations to enhance the quality of Ghana's site selection process, aiming to optimize site suitability before advancing to the characterization phase. Key factors considered include seismic activity, flood risks, extreme weather conditions, and emergency response feasibility. To minimize the likelihood of selecting an unsuitable site, Ghana will refine its evaluation process based on these recommendations.

The SEED mission highlighted a best practice within Nuclear Power Ghana, noting that leadership and management for safety have been effectively maintained since the outset of the siting process. This strong governance structure ensures that nuclear development aligns with international safety protocols.

"We acknowledge with deep appreciation the IAEA SEED mission's technical assistance in assessing our site selection. This mission is of great importance to our nuclear power program, as it ensures that our decisions are guided by international best practices for safe and secure development of nuclear power infrastructure. The relevance of the mission extends beyond technical assessment, reinforcing our commitment to transparency, regulatory preparedness, and sustainable nuclear energy development," said Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of NPG.

NPG will continue to receive technical support from the IAEA while advancing the site approval process in accordance with the IAEA's Specific Safety Guide on Site Survey and Site Selection for Nuclear Installations. The final SEED mission report will be submitted to the Government of Ghana within three months, marking another milestone in the country's journey towards nuclear energy integration.