CEO of Bui Power Authority (BPA), Hon. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at electro volta conference hall said BPA is ready to support Nuclear Power Ghana Ltd (NPG) to establish the first Nuclear power plant in Ghana. Mr. Kofi Dzamesi voiced this during a media workshop under the theme, “Ghana steps in Nuclear Future”.
Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bui Power Authority and chairman of the workshop, in a statement read on his behalf by the Deputy CEO, Ing. Anthony Osafo Kissi said Bui power Power Authority is committed to the development of renewable and clean energy resources to argument the Country’s power generation sources.
According to him, since the establishment of Bui power in 2007, they were ready to construct renewable and clean energy resources to intensify the country’s power generation sources.
He disclosed that, 404MW Hydropower Peaking Plant at Bui Generating Station (BGS), 50MWp (out of 250MWp) Land-based Solar Park at BGS, 1.0MWp (out of 5MWp) Floating Solar PV Pack at BGS, and 45kW Mini Hydro Plant on the Tsatsadu Falls at Alavanyo Abehenease in the Volta Region are some of the power generation plants Ghana is currently running.
“Bui Power Authority is a major shareholder of Nuclear Power Ghana Ltd (Owner Operator of the 1st proposed Nuclear plant in Ghana) to provide reliable and affordable baseload power to support the integration of large-scale intermittent Renewable Energy sources from solar and wind power. So far, there is no evidence on the dependence on only
intermittent renewable sources though sustainable, having supported industrialization without first having adequate baseload power from hydro, coal, natural gas or nuclear.” Hon. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi added.
Hon. Samuel Dzamesi revealed that, there are a lot of resources in this country which need cheap baseload electricity to support their work. Iron ore, Bauxite, Gold, Diamond, Manganese and other minerals under the earth. Food and cash crops like maize, rice, cocoa, timber, rubber among others are some beneficial resources Ghana have.
He demonstrated that, “Nuclear is clean and emits no carbon dioxide unlike coal and other thermal power plants. We need cheap source of power for value chain addition.
Worldwide, developed and industrialized countries have relied on cheap electric power from Hydro, Coal, Nuclear and Natural Gas for reliable electricity to support their industrialization. Ghana has depended on Akosombo Hydro as baseload for its industrialization. However, as demand increased, Ghana had to diversify to include oil based generation which is expensive and cannot support industries.”
His statistics shows that, in 2000 and 2020, the consumption of electricity by industrial sectors which becomesthe country’s backbone led to insignificant rise in power due to the high cost of electricity from the oil based thermal power plants.
VALCO is presently working with only 2- pot line on an affordable electricity generationas baseload power to assist value chain addition to the sufficient natural resources. Aside the use of hydropwer, natural gas becomes the most endurable fuel supply and can produce easy power in the country.
“Indeed, significant progress has been made to transition the oil-based power generating plants to run on Natural Gas.
Experts estimate that the Natural Gas production from the available reserves in Ghana are expected to decline in the next decade or so unless new gas reserves are discovered,” He lauded.
He is calling on government and all agencies of energy to come together since ensuring reliable and affordable baseload is needed for Ghana’s industries has become a great concern.
One challenge when it comes to developing nuclear powerr is that, it takes time because it has to pass through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) since their regulatory procedures are difficult but you need to ensure safety of the power plant.
Manager of Public Affairs for Nuclear Power Ghana, Ms. Bellona- Gerard Vittor- Quao discovered that, nuclear power plant which is to be built by NPG and it’s stakeholders will fetch new jobs, provide education, give contracts to local industries, grow the economy and improve upon the life of the people of Ghana.
She stretched that, NPG cannot do it alone therefore government and all stakeholders must support this project.
“We need a concerted effort between government, industry, and civil society and you our media to put in place what is needed to build Ghana’s first Nuclear Power Plant, accelerate industrial development with a sustainable, reliable, and affordable source of electricity. Together with you, the media, we can reach this new society with clean, fair, and abundant energy for everybody.
Again, NPG is keen on establishing a steady and well-bonded relationship with its stakeholders through the media as a special purpose vehicle to reach all corners of the country for effective involvement and engagement,” She pointed out.
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