By RC. QUAYE
More than five decades have passed since Ghana constructed its initial hydroelectric power plant, aimed at bolstering the nation’s industrial core.
The beginning of this project has been advantageous for both international processing firms that secured its purchase and nearby nations benefiting from the surplus supplies.
The Tema industrial zone stands as a testament to the creation of the Akosombo Dam. Ghana’s pursuit of supplementary or alternate electricity sources has consistently followed periods of inadequate power supply, often triggered by annual hikes in demand.
The inclusion of two new hydropower facilities, specifically the Akuse and Bui plants—particularly the Bui plant—was initiated by the NPP administration after recognizing that reliance on fossil fuels had become unaffordably costly and did not align with the nation’s industrial objectives. Despite this plan originating back in the 1960s as one among several hydropower projects envisioned by the former CPP government stretching across regions from north to south.
Not rencana sufficiently for sufficient electrical power to meet our requirements at affordable industrial prices has resulted in options that appear exploitative and leave us dependent on investors offering costly solutions focused solely on addressing everyday household demands, without regard for environmental impact.
Someone might pursue the gains in efficiency obtained from adding more power generation units, assuming that the multiple thermal power plants and Ghana’s oil and gas finds hadn’t considerably lowered electricity costs within the country.
The worldwide demand for electricity is increasing exponentially, particularly due to the rise of electric vehicles and the heightened requirement for computational power in cutting-edge technologies. Relying solely on solar installations and fossil fuel-based power plants puts Ghana at a significant disadvantage when projecting future energy needs.
By 2026, Egypt plans to launch its inaugural 1.2 gigawatt nuclear power plant, along with three more facilities bringing the total capacity to above 4.8 gigawatts of electric power. The combined price tag for these four plants is expected to reach $28 billion, out of which Egypt will contribute $3 billion. Interest payments on this loan must be settled within two decades, after which ownership and operation will fall under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Power Plant Authority (NPPA) of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
This will mark the initial significant nuclear power initiative in northern Africa and is anticipated to comprise as much as 50% of Egypt’s power generation capacity.
It is anticipated that the activation of the initial unit will start in 2026, and by 2030, the facility should be fully operational with all four units running at maximum capacity.
It is anticipated that the project will enhance the nation’s economy and industrial growth through the creation of as many as 50,000 job opportunities. Additionally, Saudi Arabia, possessing vast reserves of crude oil, has recognized the unreliability of fossil fuels for electricity production and has chosen to pursue alternatives to address its increasing energy needs.
Ghana’s aspiration to obtain aerial trams and freight transport trains appears as though they are ‘feigning ignorance among simpletons.’ It is clear that many trains require dependable, steady, and cost-effective electricity supplies; thus, these dreams can only materialize once such prerequisites are met.
We invested two million dollars in assessing the viability of a sky train project even though we lack the resources to actually implement this vision. Our nation clearly understands what steps must be taken for successful industrialization yet seems reluctant to address these challenges head-on. In an effort to secure sustainable energy, Ghana has taken out additional loans aimed at improving the power infrastructure, enhancing the ECG metering systems, and modernizing transmission networks among others.
Even so, our energy shortage continues to resurface whenever oil or gas prices increase or when rainfall becomes scarce. It appears we manage to address these immediate power shortages and devise solutions for them.
Ghana’s quest for nuclear power could spin around for over a century unless there is substantial commitment and specific funding designated to meet the necessary objectives for its implementation.
Ghana’s pursuit of nuclear energy requires a dedicated and sustained governmental initiative. Implementing this nuclear power acara will attract investment from nearby nations, lower electricity costs for industries competing in global markets, decrease reliance on imported fossil fuels, mitigate climate change impacts, and generate employment opportunities.
My hope is that we not only manage what was built for us but also create an even better alternative to what we have inherited.
The author serves as a Research Scientist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
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