Meralco teams up with Samsung for PH nuclear energy pilot demo project

Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) on Monday said it has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Samsung C&T Corporation's Engineering & Construction Group to explore the potential roll-out of a nuclear energy pilot demonstration project.

Under the MOU, Meralco and Samsung C&T will share and discuss technical design and capabilities of nuclear technology and the prevailing regulatory framework, the energy landscape, and the necessary grid infrastructure, along with other opportunities for nuclear power plant development.

The agreement was signed by Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho and Samsung C&T president for global operations Jungwook Kim on the sidelines of the Philippines-Korea Business Forum in Manila.

“Through this MOU, Meralco stands to gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical aspects of nuclear energy development that will ensure that our future decisions are well-informed and aligned with international best practices,” Aperocho said.

“This aligns well with Meralco’s continuous efforts to work with global knowledge and technology partners to help us in our transition towards more diversified and sustainable energy sources,” he added.

The partnership also comes as the Philippines and South Korea agreed to conduct a feasibility study on the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

“Our collaboration with Samsung C&T is a strategic move that cements our commitment to take an active role in contributing to the Philippine government’s efforts to integrate nuclear energy in the country’s future power supply mix,” Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manuel Pangilinan said.

“As we collectively work on the safe and secure adoption of this next generation technology, we remain focused to our ultimate goal of ensuring energy security and achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in the Philippines,” he added.

The Department of Energy (DOE) in May announced the creation of the Nuclear Energy Division, tasked with drafting plans and policies for the country’s entry into nuclear power generation. It aims to have operational nuclear power plants by 2032.

For its part, Meralco in May said it is about to conclude its feasibility study on nuclear power development in the Philippines, following an agreement with Ultra Safe Nuclear Cooperation inked in November 2023, covering the study of potential deployment of one or more micro-modular reactor energy systems in the Philippines.

The company allocated P40 billion for its capital expenditures (capex) this year, which includes P24 billion for distribution utilities, P4 billion for power generation, and parts going to other systems.

Meralco constructs, operates, and maintains electric distribution systems in the cities and municipalities of Bulacan, Cavite, Metro Manila, and Rizal, as well as certain areas in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga, and Quezon.

The firm counts as subsidiaries and associates Vantage Energy Solutions and Management Inc. and MeridianX Inc., acting as retail electricity suppliers in Luzon and the Visayas. — BM, GMA Integrated News