Takoradi: A workshop at Takoradi Technical University (TTU) has positioned advanced nuclear technology as a central pillar in Ghana's quest for a stable and clean energy future, focusing on developing local expertise to make it a reality.
According to Ghana Web, the event, titled 'Integrating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in a Hybrid Energy System for Sustainable Energy Development in Ghana,' drew over 170 in-person attendees, including more than 60 faculty experts and scores of engineering students. In his opening address, Professor Ebenezer Boakye, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of TTU, stressed the critical need for a diversified energy mix, emphasizing the importance of nuclear power in providing a reliable energy foundation.
The workshop was led by Mark Amoah Nyasapoh, manager of the project funded by the U.S. Department of State's Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Programme, managed by the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC). Presenting findings from a Ghana-focused case study, Nyasapoh outlined a compelling case for integrating SMRs with renewable energy sources to stabilize electricity prices, reduce emissions, and support economic growth.
Mark Amoah Nyasapoh, who is also an Energy Economist and Planner at the Nuclear Power Institute (NPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and a PhD candidate at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani, emphasized the research's practical implications for national solutions. He highlighted the potential of SMRs to end the cycle of power crises and establish long-term energy security, which could stimulate economic growth, generate employment, and attract investment.
A keynote address by Professor Hossam A. Gabber of Ontario Tech University, Canada, addressed public safety and confidence, noting the inherent safety and multiple protection layers in modern SMR designs. A robust panel discussion and audience questions further engaged national interest, with a consensus that SMRs are well-suited for various Ghanaian contexts.
Dr Archibold Buah-Kwofie, Director of the NPI at GAEC, delivered the closing remarks, reaffirming institutional commitment to training, research, and strategic partnerships. TTU's Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Professor John Frank Eshun, also pledged to develop a skilled workforce for this strategic national project.
A significant potential outcome of the workshop is a proposed collaboration between TTU, GAEC, and Ontario Tech University to establish an SMR simulator and hybrid-energy data centre at TTU. This facility would serve as a critical training and planning hub, advancing Ghana's technical readiness.
The workshop underscores Ghana's proactive steps to address energy challenges, characterized by rising demand and supply volatility, with innovative, long-term solutions toward a secure, clean, and economically empowering energy future.