Climate Change Poses Threat To Effective Energy Utilization

In the wake of managing and utilizing energy resources in order to fulfill the economic aspirations of Ghana and also meet the Millennium Development Goals, the Energy Commission together with the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) have pointed out that huge quantities of energy will be needed to meet the goals.

At a stakeholders meeting in Accra last Wednesday, Mr. B.J.B Nyarko, Deputy Director of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission said studies have shown that several billions of dollars will be required in order to build up adequate energy infrastructure to move the economy forward. He said environmental issues have also become a great concern in our activities particularly in energy utilization. He said a notable issue concern is climate change and its effect on energy utilization and all these impose some level of constrains to economic development.

According to him the Atomic Energy Commission, the Energy Commission, Volta River Authority and other stakeholders of energy have been undertaking a Technical Cooperation project, which was aimed at developing a long-term comprehensive energy supply plan for the country.

He pointed out that the nuclear power project is expected to help in the capacity building of expertise in energy planning for Ghana as well as providing analytically derived information and database to support decision-making and formulation of coherent policies, which will promote sustainable energy development in the country.

He indicated that the project was initiated in 2004 by the GAEC to assist planners to undertake an energy and nuclear power planning studies in the country. He said two phases of the project will be carried out with the establishment of a nuclear power plant sponsored by the Russian government. He stated that the introduction of the nuclear option into our electricity generation mix will help the nation in her quest to attain energy sufficiency in the coming years.

Dr. Ofosu Ahenkorah, Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission reiterated that the Commission is responsible for collecting and analyzing data as required to meet the economic development of Ghana, responsible for regulation, advises the Ministry of Energy on energy policy and also plan the renewable energy law.

By: Emmanuel Tornyi-0249915121