Ghana gets nuclear power plant simulator

Ghana has obtained a nuclear power plant simulator to train staff and enhance safety readiness in preparation for its upcoming nuclear power program. The simulation center at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) allows personnel to practice operating a nuclear power plant and test procedures in a safe setting before construction begins.

George Kofi Appiah, Manager of Localisation and Stakeholder Support Centre at GAEC, highlighted that the simulator would help Ghana develop the necessary skills to safely operate nuclear facilities. Appiah revealed that Ghana joined the Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology program in 2020/2021, which provided the simulator to support human-capacity development.

The center, the only one in Africa and one of a few globally, supports the sub-region. It is a computer-based system that replicates the controls and operations of a nuclear power plant, not a nuclear reactor itself. Appiah emphasized that the simulator helps Ghana meet international safety standards and develop the safety culture needed before building nuclear power plants.

The simulation center, which has trained Ghanaian personnel and participants from other African nations, including Nigeria and Kenya, uses a small modular reactor (SMR) design. This modular design, which can generate up to 924 megawatts with 12 modules, offers easier maintenance as individual units can be taken offline without shutting down the entire plant.

The reactor design incorporates safety features, such as protective structures and passive safety measures that rely on natural forces like gravity to control the reactor during emergencies. Ghana's nuclear power program will require various specialists, including nuclear engineers, reactor operators, chemists, and other technical personnel.

The simulation center aims to build this workforce and ensure that safety remains a critical aspect of Ghana's preparations for nuclear power generation.