Ghana Takes a Leap into Nuclear Energy with U.S. Deal

According to the US State Department, Ghana and a US developer have entered into an agreement to construct a nuclear reactor using NuScale Power’s technology.

Nuclear Power Ghana and Regnum Technology Group signed an agreement to deploy a NuScale VOYGR-12 small modular reactor (SMR) at a US-Africa nuclear energy summit in Nairobi. SMRs are smaller than current reactors and can be manufactured in a factory.

However, there are uncertainties surrounding their widespread commercial viability. The US aims to promote what it considers to be clean energy technologies and offer them to developing nations.

The Biden administration sees nuclear energy, which produces power with minimal emissions, as crucial in combating climate change. However, nuclear power generates long-lasting nuclear waste.

NuScale is the sole company licensed to construct a U.S. SMR. Last year, it terminated its only US project due to escalating costs.

As an energy ministry official in Ghana mentioned in May, other contenders for the nuclear plant included EDF from France and China National Nuclear Corporation.

According to the official at the time, South Korea’s Kepco, its subsidiary Korea Hydro Nuclear Power Corporation, and Russia’s ROSATOM were also competing for the contract, which is expected to cover the next decade.