PNRI exec welcomes nuke talks with US, says others can offer tech too

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) director Carlo Arcilla has welcomed the civil nuclear cooperation talks between the Philippines and the United States but said there were other nations with which the country could deal.

PNRI Director Carlo Arcilla told GMA Integrated News that the US had been "left behind" by some countries in building new nuclear power plants.

"We should welcome the initiative of the US to start the 123 Agreement talks because there are many aspects of nuclear power and America has the most extensive experience because they have nearly 100 nuclear power plants operating over 60 years and they are relicensing them for another 20 years," Arcilla said.

However, the PNRI chief said China and South Korea have an unmatched record in "building new nuclear power plants on time and at cost."

"America will always be a good source but unfortunately in the past decade, they have been left behind because they have not really constructed brand new power plants...One thing that has happened is that the US has stopped building power plants that's why tumanda na yung power plants nila," he added.

According to Arcilla, France also has a good track record in running nuclear power plants.

"We can rely on France because of their experience in running their nuclear plants safely. Ang dami nilang nuclear plants, wala pa silang major accident awa ng Diyos," he said.

Arcilla also pointed out that the US is currently developing advanced small modular reactors o SMRs but it may take eight years to finish.

Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin assured that civil nuclear energy cooperation talks would provide access to US technology but would not prevent the Philippines from engaging with other countries.

"No, it won't tie us up with the US. It will just give us access to US technology. Even with the 123 agreement, if we have another type of agreement with South Korea or Japan, then that is a different thing. We are open to all types of (nuclear) technology," Garin told GMA Integrated News.

She explained that building power plants take years so having ready access to technology would be beneficial to the country.

The 123 Agreement talks were launched during the visit of US Vice President Kamala Harris to the Philippines.

"Once in force, the agreement will provide the legal basis for U.S. exports of nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines," a fact sheet provided by the US Embassy said.

"The United States is committed to working with the Philippines to increase energy security and deploying advanced nuclear reactor technology as quickly as safety and security conditions permit to meet the Philippines' dire baseload power needs," it added. —NB, GMA Integrated News