The International Perspective for Policy & Governance (IPPG) has called for greater transparency and rigorous policy scrutiny of the proposed 2,000-megawatt (MW) nuclear power project under discussion between Ghana and Russia.
The organisation says a clear financing framework, appropriate technology selection and demonstrable institutional readiness are necessary before major commitments are made towards the project.
The announcement was made by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on October 31, following President John Dramani Mahama’s engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the just-ended Russia-Africa Summit.
The development marks a significant step in Ghana’s pursuit of nuclear power and builds on earlier engagements between the Government of Ghana (GoG) and Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation, Rosatom, on nuclear cooperation.
While recognising the potential of nuclear energy to diversify Ghana’s electricity generation mix and strengthen long-term energy security, IPPG said the scale, complexity and financial implications of the proposed project required careful consideration.
It noted that a commitment of such magnitude should be assessed not only in terms of installed generation capacity but also its economic viability, fiscal implications and consistency with Ghana’s long-term electricity demand and energy planning priorities.
IPPG said particular attention should be given to the financing structure of the project, including the respective obligations of the Ghanaian and Russian parties, the allocation of construction and operational risks, and the extent of any sovereign guarantees or other government-backed financial commitments.
It explained that given the capital-intensive nature of a 2,000 MW nuclear development, the financing arrangements could have significant implications for Ghana’s public finances, electricity tariffs and long-term fiscal exposure.
The organisation also raised questions about the choice of reactor technology and project configuration, including the units being considered, their suitability for Ghana’s electricity system and the associated grid integration requirements.
It further called for clarity on how the proposed Russian partnership would relate to Ghana’s existing nuclear vendor engagements and technology assessment processes.
On institutional and regulatory preparedness, IPPG stressed the importance of sustained progress in regulatory oversight, nuclear safety, human resource development, grid infrastructure and the institutional arrangements required to support project implementation.
It said the proposed partnership should be anchored in Ghana’s established nuclear power development framework, coordinated by the Ghana Nuclear Power Programme, and aligned with the relevant milestones of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) nuclear infrastructure development approach.
IPPG maintained that the strategic value of the proposed partnership would ultimately depend on its ability to deliver reliable and affordable electricity without creating disproportionate fiscal liabilities or undermining established regulatory and project development processes.
The organisation has therefore called on the government to engage relevant stakeholders and develop a comprehensive framework outlining the status and scope of the proposed agreement, financing and risk-sharing arrangements, technology selection process and anticipated implementation pathway.
