Ghana is preparing to make its first foray into nuclear energy, targeting 2027 to begin construction of its first nuclear plant on a dual-site designed to diversify the country’s power mix.
- Ghana plans to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant by 2027 to diversify its energy mix.
- Two sites have been identified for the facilities, with one hosting a larger power plant and the other a smaller industrial facility.
- The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition is currently preparing, including acquiring the land for the projects.
- Ghana’s nuclear initiative aligns with Africa’s broader trend toward adopting nuclear energy to remedy power deficits.
Ghana is positioning itself to join Africa’s growing nuclear club, with plans to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant by 2027.
The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Dr Robert Sogbadji, has already identified two sites – one in the Western Region and another in the Central Region, for a large and a smaller industrial facility, respectively, as part of efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix.
“We have two sides which have been identified where we want to put our new nuclear power plant. One site will host the large power plant and the other site will host the small power plant in an industrial enclave,” he stated.
Sogbadji further disclosed that the government has begun steps toward acquiring the land for the projects.
Preparations underway, but construction partner undisclosed
Speaking on the sidelines of the 9th Ghana Energy Awards, Dr Robert Sogbadji confirmed that preparatory work is underway, including steps to acquire land and pursue a power purchase agreement.
“Steps are ongoing to ensure that we acquire that land and roughly by 2027 we should be able to cut sod for construction,” he said.
Dr Sogbadji added that the ministry is working within a six-month timeline to expand electricity access, targeting 90% nationwide coverage.
In February 2025, Ghana hosted its first IAEA Site and External Events Design Review mission, with experts from Pakistan, Turkey, the UK, and the USA, invited by the government and hosted by Nuclear Power Ghana.
The team reviewed proposed nuclear sites, with Nsuban in the Western Region as the preferred location and Obotan in the Central Region as a backup, evaluating the site selection process, criteria, and data collection.
Mission leader Kazuyuki Nagasawa said, “The implementing organisation and management system are well-designed, and the Site Approval Report has been thoroughly prepared. Ghana followed IAEA safety standards in the site selection process.”
While Ghana has not disclosed which firm will handle construction, the move mirrors a broader African trend.
According to a Reuters report last year, several companies are vying for Ghana’s nuclear project contract, including France’s EDF, U.S.-based NuScale Power and Regnum Technology Group, and China National Nuclear Corporation.
South Korea’s Kepco and its subsidiary Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation, as well as Russia’s Rosatom, are also competing for the contract, which is expected to span the next decade.
Russia, through its state-owned nuclear giant Rosatom, has emerged as one of Africa’s most influential energy partners, supplying reactors, technical expertise, and long-term financing.
Beyond Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant now under construction, Rosatom is backing a string of nuclear and research projects across the continent including Rwanda’s planned Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Nigeria’s stalled but ongoing talks over a first nuclear power plant, and Zambia’s nuclear research and training facility aimed at boosting medical and agricultural applications.
Africa’s nuclear ambitions gather momentum
Across Africa, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as a solution to chronic power deficits and a way to accelerate industrialisation.
South Africa remains the only African country with a fully operational commercial nuclear plant at Koeberg, which continues to provide reliable baseload power and supports industrial growth.
Egypt’s El Dabaa plant, expected online by 2028, and South Africa’s Koeberg demonstrate the potential of nuclear power to stabilise national grids and drive economic growth. Ghana’s entry would place it among a select group of nations betting on nuclear to complement hydro, solar, and thermal sources.
Dr Sogbadji emphasised that the nuclear programme is part of Ghana’s broader energy transition strategy. “This year we laid the foundation, next year we are springing up because we are trying to reach universal access to electricity,” he said.
For Ghana, the challenge will be turning these ambitious plans into operational capacity while navigating financing, regulation, and technical hurdles, a test familiar to many African nations pursuing nuclear energy as part of their long-term development strategies.
