The United States has signed an agreement to assist Ghana in constructing its first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) as part of efforts to promote cleaner energy alternatives across Africa. The commercial deal, made between Nuclear Power Ghana and Regnum Technology Group, will utilize technology from NuScale Power LLC, according to a statement from the US Department of State.
This project aims to enhance Ghana’s energy infrastructure and pave the way for similar small nuclear reactor deployments across the region. The US has been a strong advocate for nuclear technology in Africa’s energy transition, highlighting the potential of these reactors to help reduce carbon emissions while providing flexible generation capacity more rapidly than traditional large-scale atomic plants.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) have garnered global interest due to their ability to be mass-produced and assembled in different locations, which could significantly shorten construction and installation times. However, most SMRs are still in the design phase, and challenges such as rising inflation and increased interest rates have pushed up costs.
In October, Joshua Volz, the US Department of Energy’s deputy assistant secretary for Europe, Eurasia, Africa, and the Middle East, mentioned that nuclear cooperation agreements were under discussion with both Ghana and Kenya. Previously, the US had also established a regional training center for SMR technology in Ghana, which currently relies on gas for about half of its 6,600-megawatt generation capacity.
