2020 Annual Report

• May 25, 2024
• Nuclear Power Ghana
• no comments

Introduction

Nuclear Power has been a topical issue in the world due to climate change and the energy crisis the world faces with a lot more countries gradually opening up to the discussion, consideration, and inclusion of nuclear power in their energy mix. However, in Europe and especially the advanced economies, we experienced a massive turnaround for the fate of Nuclear Power in 2022.

The uncertainties resulting from the Russia-Ukraine war and the associated full-blown energy crisis being experienced by countries led some advanced countries to rethink their nuclear power policy. Japan, who due to the Fukushima incident idled most of its reactors confirmed a major policy shift to address increasing energy costs. After a decade, it has decided to widen the use of nuclear energy and seeks to replace decommissioned reactors and extend the lifespan of others. Countries like France and the UK had also conceived plans to build new reactors.

Even Germany which is resigned to decommissioning all its Nuclear Power Plants conceded to basic geopolitical energy realities and extended the life of its last three operating nuclear power plants in 2022.

These developments have reemphasised the reliance of the world on fossil fuels and the need to break that dependence. If the advanced countries with so many sources of power including their heavily invested renewable energy sources are turning to nuclear power to keep their lights on and factories running, then Africa and Ghana should embrace the hope nuclear power provides.

If there is a continent that yearns for or needs and must pursue nuclear power most, then it is Africa, where we lack access to electricity and industrialisation is a challenge. We are witnesses to how exposed Europe and the world at large are to the over-reliance on fossil fuels because of the extended war between Russia and Ukraine.

We must, therefore, reconsider our approach to accelerating the development of Africa and addressing the global climate challenge. This will require accelerating our transition from fossils and tabling low carbon emission energy option, which without an aorta of doubt, nuclear power is a lead option.