China and Ghana have entered into an agreement for the construction of an HPR1000 nuclear power plant in Ghana, officials have said.
Energy Minister Matthew Opoku Prempeh announced the deal on his official Facebook page on Tuesday.
Prempeh said the state-owned Nuclear Power Limited Ghana (NPLG) and China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas Limited (CNNC OL) sealed the collaborative framework for the project during the ongoing 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Tuesday.
The minister said the agreement, which also includes the upgrading of Ghana’s grid, aims to bolster electricity generation capacity in the West African country.
“Nuclear power stands as a reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly source of energy, offering a stable supply of electricity to power our industries, businesses, homes, and indeed, the West African Power Pool,” Prempeh said.
He added that the agreement is a testament to the government’s vision for a diversified energy portfolio that prioritizes clean and sustainable sources of power.
The minister said at the crucial stage of Ghana’s journey towards economic prosperity, “the inclusion of nuclear power into our energy mix will play a pivotal role in achieving our goals.”
Commenting on the partnership, officials from both NPLG and CNNC OL expressed optimism about the transformative potential of the HPR1000 project, according to a statement by Nuclear Africa on its official page.
The collaboration between NPLG and CNNC OL heralds a new era of cooperation between Ghana and China in the energy sector. By harnessing cutting-edge nuclear technology, Ghana seeks to address its growing energy demands sustainably while reducing its reliance on traditional fossil fuels, according to the statement.
The HPR1000 reactor, a pressurized water reactor developed by China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN), stands as the centerpiece of the Ghanian project.
“With CGN’s extensive track record spanning over 30 years in designing, constructing, and operating nuclear power stations in China, the HPR1000 embodies robustness and safety at its core,” the statement added.