GNEP 2010

ENERGY COMMISSION HOSTS GLOBAL NUCLEAR ENERGY PARTNERSHIP (GNEP).

The Energy Commission on behalf of the Government of Ghana hosted a two-day conference of the Steering Group Meeting of the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) from June 16-17, 2010 at the Holiday Inn, Accra, Ghana.

The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) was started in September 16, 2007, when 16 countries came together to promote safe, secure and global use of Nuclear Energy for peaceful purposes.

Today, more than 51 countries are related with the partnership together with three international permanent observers.
 The Accra meeting was the first GNEP Steering Group meeting over 20 countries and related inter-governmental agencies were in attendance.
The purposes of the meeting were to:

• Agree to rename GNEP as the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Co-operation (IFNEC).
 
• Update GNEP Steering Group Action.
 
• Receive activities reports from the working Groups.
• Explore ways to enhance the international framework for Civil Nuclear Co-operation.
 
• Draft agenda for its next Executive meeting.

WELCOME ADDRESS BY EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF ENERGY COMMISSION. 

The Executive Secretary in his welcome address noted that the meeting being hosted by the Energy Commission on behalf of the Government of Ghana was historic in the sense that it is the first GNEP Steering group for responding to the invitation to be part of the meeting and urged them to have a taste of the legendary Ghanaian hospitality by taking time off to visit some of the historic monuments and attractions in the country.

 SPEECH BY DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL NUCLEAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE (NNRI) OF GHAHA ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (GAEC). 

The Director of the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. B.J.B.Nyarko in a statement on behalf of the Director-General (DG) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) pointed out that electricity demand is growing at a very fast rate in most of the world; particularly in developing countries. He said, according to the International Atomic Energy Commission (IAEA) the global electricity demand is growing at 2.4% per year and the world’s capacity of electricity is expected to grow from 3700 GW (e) in 2004 to 7300 GW (e) in 2030. This he said means between 2004 and 2030, the world’s installed capacity will double and this calls for additional capacity.
 Prof. Nyarko told the meeting that Nuclear Energy has become one of the alternative energy options under consideration in Ghana. He further stated that GAEC has been in collaboration with GNEP and pledged its readiness to work in close collaboration with GNEP and other International Organizations like IAEA and National Institutions and Stakeholders in the energy sector to make Ghana’s nuclear programme a success.

KEY NOTE ADDRESS BY DR. JOE OTENG-ADJEI, HONOURABLE MINISTER FOR ENERGY READ ON HIS BEHALF BY ALHAJI INUSAH FUSEINI (M.P.) DEPUTY MINISTER FOR ENERGY. 

The Minister on behalf of the Government and people of Ghana welcomed participants to the meeting.
 In his address, the Minister expressed his belief in the application of scientific innovation to meet the growing demand for energy in the world. This he believed is the thrust of GNEP which also believed in scientific innovation and effective co-operation to ensure the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear energy to meet the growing demands for energy in the world.
 Hon. Fuseini talked about the challenges confronting the future development of the energy sector which have prompted the recourse to Nuclear energy as a means of addressing the critical issues of energy supply security, global warming and climate change.

The Honourable Minister revealed that to further strengthen the country’s future electricity supply security situation, the government is considering the exploitation of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. He was of the view that GNEP will not hesitate to offer Ghana acceptable ways to develop its nuclear strategies in a safe and secure manner.
The Honourable Minister commended GNEP for its role in actively promoting peaceful application of nuclear energy and non-proliferation.
 The Minister wished the meeting a fruitful deliberation and a pleasant and memorable stay in Ghana.

 OUT COMES OF MEETING

• The Accra meeting agreed to re-name the GNEP as The International Framework for Nuclear Energy Co-operation, (IFNEC).
 
• The meeting agreed on a New Statement of Mission which is the sole action required of states, upon receipt of a consensus-based invitation by the participants to participate in future partnership activities.