The IAEA has endorsed Ghana’s site selection for its inaugural Nuclear Power Plant following a comprehensive review. Two sites have been identified, leading to the next phase of characterization. The SEED mission praised Ghana’s adherence to safety standards and provided recommendations for enhancing the site evaluation process, ensuring the suitability of the chosen locations.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has officially endorsed Ghana’s site selection for its first Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) after concluding an eight-day safety review. This initial review was conducted by the IAEA Site & External Events Design Review Service (SEED) team, following a request from the Ghanaian government, and was hosted by Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG) under the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition.
Ghana has successfully identified a primary candidate site and an alternative site for the NPP, marking the completion of the site selection phase. The next step in the process is the site characterization stage, which involves a detailed evaluation of the chosen sites.
The SEED team consisted of four experts from Pakistan, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside an IAEA staff member. Their review encompassed the site selection report and process, criteria for siting, data collection methods, and the management system applied to these activities.
During their mission, the team visited both the candidate site located in the Western Region and the alternative site in the Central Region. Additionally, the IAEA facilitated a SEED Capacity Building Workshop to aid in site evaluation, fostering discussions among external experts that aim to bolster the site evaluation process going forward.
Kazuyuki Nagasawa, the mission team leader and Senior Nuclear Safety Officer at the IAEA, noted, “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. Ghana followed the IAEA safety standards while performing the site selection process.”
The team recommended enhancements to optimize the site selection process, which will help prevent the identification of unsuitable attributes during the site characterization phase. Key factors for consideration included susceptibility to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and flooding, and the adequacy of emergency response plans.
The mission highlighted effective leadership and safety management within NPG throughout the siting process as a commendable practice. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of NPG, acknowledged the IAEA SEED mission’s “technical assistance in assessing our site selection” and emphasized the significance of the mission for guiding Ghana’s nuclear power program with international best practices.
Moving forward, NPG will continue to receive technical support from the IAEA while progressing through the site approval process, adhering to the IAEA’s Specific Safety Guide on the site survey and selection for nuclear facilities. The final report from the SEED mission is expected to be delivered to the Government of Ghana within three months.
Ghana’s successful site selection for its first Nuclear Power Plant is endorsed by the IAEA, highlighting adherence to international safety standards. The SEED mission provided valuable recommendations for optimizing the process and ensuring suitability during the next evaluation stages. Continued technical support from the IAEA will bolster Ghana’s commitment to safe nuclear energy development, aligned with international best practices.
Original Source: www.neimagazine.com
