In a world increasingly reliant on sustainable energy solutions, nuclear power is emerging not just as a source of electricity, but as a versatile tool for addressing a range of societal and industrial needs. At a two-day media training workshop hosted by Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG), two compelling presentations shed light on the transformative potential of nuclear energy for Ghana. Mr. Daniel A. Wordson, a Research Scientist at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission unveiled the mechanics of nuclear power generation, focusing on the pressurized water reactor (PWR), while Ag. Manager at the Nuclear Energy Planning Center, Felix Ameyaw, PhD, explored its non-electric applications. Their insights together painted a picture of a technology that could deliver not just reliable electricity, but also water, hydrogen, and industrial heat to position Ghana for a sustainable and innovative energy future.
Evolution and mechanics of nuclear power
Daniel Wordson traced the journey of nuclear technology from bulky conventional plants to today’s advanced systems that are now advancing to Generation IV reactors that are highly economical, with enhanced safety, minimal waste, and resistance to proliferation and a leap in efficiency from 33% to over 45%.
This evolution offers Ghana a chance to adopt cutting-edge technology as it seeks stable, affordable energy.
Addressing Ghana’s likely choice, the PWR, Wordson outlined its architecture: a core, steam generator, power turbine, condenser, and water body and explained that the magic happens in the core where fission splits uranium-235 atoms, releasing heat to warm the coolant (light water). This heat drives steam production, spinning turbines to generate electricity – typically 700 to 1,000 megawatts per unit.
It is a chain of energy conversion: nuclear to thermal, mechanical, and finally electrical energy for homes.
He stressed that safety is paramount, and hence a dual-layered containment structure—concrete and steel, 1 to 1.5 meters thick—designed to withstand extreme events like a 700-mile-per-hour aircraft crash, which is basically about protecting the core.
A “core catcher” beneath traps melted material in rare accidents, while cooling towers or water bodies dissipate excess heat. One thing that makes nuclear reliable is the fuel. It’s stable, dense, and storable onsite for years,” he said.
Beyond electricity: co-generation and multi-generation
Felix Ameyaw, expanding the narrative stressed nuclear’s versatility beyond power generation. Co-generation, he said, is an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly method for producing electricity, steam, and hot water simultaneously with energy savings of 15% to 40%.
Multi-generation takes this further, attaching systems to produce desalinated water, hydrogen, and industrial products.
“It maximizes nuclear energy to support multiple sectors, boosting efficiency to nearly 90% by repurposing waste heat,” he said.
Nuclear reactors’ temperature range—100°C to 1,000°C—making them ideal for diverse applications, “From heating homes at 100°C to refining oil at 600°C, nuclear can add value across the board.
According to him, pressurized water reactors (280°C–320°C) suit desalination, while high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (up to 1,000°C) power heavy industry. Globally, nuclear provides 16% of electricity, yet less than 1% of its heat serves non-electric uses—a gap Ghana could bridge, according to Ameyaw.
Addressing Ghana’s water crisis
For Ghana, nuclear-assisted desalination could tackle a pressing challenge: water scarcity. With 22% of its 6 million people relying on surface water and over 40% lacking clean supplies, the nation struggles.
Standalone desalination plants, like the one in Teshie, have shut down due to high costs. A nuclear solution, he argues, using heat for multi-stage flash distillation or electricity for reverse osmosis will offer the needed relief.
“It’s cost-effective, carbon-free, and provides a reliable large-scale water supply. A 1,000-megawatt PWR could produce 130,000 cubic meters of water daily with just 10% of its output,” Ameyaw noted.
This diversification, he said, also enhances economics and that if 90% of the reactor’s power goes to electricity and 10% to desalination, dependency on electricity sales alone is reduced.
With global desalination demand projected to hit 50 million cubic meters daily by 2050, Ghana could lead regionally, leveraging its coastal seawater reserves.
Hydrogen and industrial heat: fueling growth
Nuclear energy’s potential extends to hydrogen production via electrolysis, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, and while Ghana imports hydrogen for refineries like Tema’s, nuclear offers a sustainable alternative.
Ameyaw argued that Low-carbon electricity and high-temperature heat improve efficiency, supporting petroleum refining, fertilizer production, and clean energy transitions, stressing, “It’s scalable and sustainable.
Industrial heat is another frontier for the use of nuclear power and Ameyaw suggested that Ghana’s oil industry is growing, and nuclear could provide heat for new refineries.
From food processing (Germany uses 90% of its process heat here) to gold extraction and textiles, steady heat without seasonal variation aligns with Ghana’s needs. Medical applications like radiotherapy further broaden the scope.
Both speakers underscored nuclear’s dual benefits, arguing that better fuel utilization and shared infrastructure mean better revenues and a 10% shift to non-electric uses could boost a reactor’s economics by 10%.
Challenges and opportunities
The high costs, public skepticism, and skill gaps are some of the challenges outlined by the speakers but the opportunities—clean energy, water security, industrial growth—shine brighter.
According to Ameyaw, nuclear power isn’t just electricity—it’s a sustainable, self-reliant future. With global models like Japan’s co-generation and Ghana’s unique needs, nuclear could redefine the nation’s energy landscape.
It’s a holistic solution for a sustainable tomorrow, from powering homes to quenching thirst and fueling industry.
