Meralco, USNC agree to work in exploring clean energy options

SAN FRANCISCO, USA — The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the Ultra Safe Nuclear Cooperation (USNC) vowed to work together in undertaking a pre-feasibility study on Micro-Modular Reactors (MMRs), with the aim to explore clean and sustainable energy options in the country.

Meralco and USNC presented their signed agreement to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco at the sidelines of the 2023 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

Marcos hailed the deal, saying that the "partnership is a significant step towards exploring clean and sustainable energy options for the Philippines."

Under the agreement, Meralco and USNC will conduct a feasibility study for the potential deployment of Micro Modular Reactors in Meralco sites, which aims to enforce the sustainable energy agenda and to provide affordable and dependable access to power, particularly to the underserved and off-grid areas for economic empowerment.

The study will enable Meralco to obtain an estimate of the environmental and social impact, capital expenditure, and operational costs, among others, related to the siting, construction, and operation of one or more MMR energy systems in the Philippines.

Marcos said the deal is aligned with the government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate change.

In his first State of the Nation Address, the President directed the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to explore the possibility of developing small-scale modular nuclear power plants, subject to compliance with international safety standards and regulations.

The officials present were USNC Founder and CEO Francesco Venneri, USNC EVP for Global Strategy Roland Backhaus, former president and chairman of the US Export-Import Bank and former US Executive Director to the Asian Development Bank Ambassador John Bohn, Vesticom CEO Ramon Cruz, Meralco EVP and COO Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco EVP and COO Dominic Camu Jr., Pilipinas Global Network Ltd President and CEO Ernesto Santa Maria and Metro Pacific Investment Corp. head of Government Relations and Public Affairs Atty. Mike Toledo. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News