Ghana: Expert Proposes Fuel Tax To Fund Nuclear Power Development

A Ghanaian sustainable energy expert, Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, has urged the government to introduce a dedicated funding mechanism to accelerate the country’s nuclear power programme.

He suggested that the government could consider implementing a levy on petroleum products specifically to finance the nuclear initiative, rather than relying solely on support from existing institutions such as the Bui Power Authority and the Volta River Authority, which he described as “paltry.”

Wisdom, a former Director of Renewable Energy at the Bui Power Authority, emphasized that recent challenges confronting Ghana’s power sector should serve as a lesson.

He called for the country to expedite the transition from the second phase to the third phase of its nuclear power programme, ultimately advancing the construction of the first nuclear power plant.

This, he noted, would ensure a reliable electricity supply to support the government’s 24-hour economy policy and stimulate industrial growth.

In a related development, Dr. Stephen Yamoah, Executive Director of Nuclear Power Ghana, recommended that Ghana adopt small modular reactors (SMRs) for its proposed nuclear power plant rather than larger conventional reactors.

During a recent online media workshop, Dr. Yamoah explained that SMRs, with a capacity of around 300 megawatts, are less costly, can be constructed in three to five years, and offer the flexibility to add additional modules as demand grows.

Madam Alberta Blair, an engineer with Nuclear Power Ghana, highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness, stressing that Ghana should begin upgrading hospitals, training medical personnel, and conducting community drills even before plant licensing.

Dr. Robert BM Sogbadji, Programme Coordinator for Nuclear Power Ghana, added that nuclear power promises stable and cheaper electricity compared to other sources of power generation, making it a key component in the country’s long-term energy strategy.

Ghana has long relied on hydroelectric power from the Akosombo Dam and thermal plants for its electricity supply. However, rising energy demand, climate variability affecting hydropower, and fluctuating costs of fossil fuels have highlighted the need for a diversified energy mix.

The government’s nuclear power programme, first proposed in the 1990s, aims to provide reliable baseload power, support industrialization, and reduce reliance on imported fuels.

Small modular reactors are gaining attention globally as a flexible and cost-effective alternative to traditional large-scale nuclear plants.