Accra, March 8, GNA - Energy experts have played down the viability of hydro-electricity in Ghana and recommended that the medium and long-term energy needs of the country would be better served by the development of nuclear energy.

They have therefore recommended to government to set up a nuclear planning committee to discuss the full implications of developing a nuclear energy in Ghana, which is becoming a favoured energy option for many countries, both developing and developed.

The experts, researchers and policy makers in the fieLd of energy in Ghana met at a roundtable in Accra under the auspices of the George Benneh Foundation, according to a statement released in Accra on Thursday by the Foundation.

The statement said they reviewed the energy resources of the country and discussed the problems and threats facing the various energy options.

The roundtable concluded that given the impact of climate change on water bodies hydro-power was not a viable energy option for Ghana in the medium to long term.

"It also concluded that the energy needs of a middle income economy that Ghana is aspiring to be in 15 years time cannot be met by the development of hydro and renewable sources of energy."

The Minister of Energy, Mr Kofi Adda invited the Foundation to work closely with his ministry to find solutions to the energy problems that confront the country.

He also spoke of the need for government to work closely with the academia and industry to resolve the energy problems. Ghana has been experiencing energy crises since the 1980s, as the Akosombo Dam, which supplies the bulk of the country's needs, has been running out of water in the reservoir to generate power. The government has been negotiating with China to build Bui dam in the Brong Ahafo region.