Philippines updating nuclear energy roadmap —OPS

The Philippine government is set to update its nuclear energy roadmap, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. pushing for its adoption in a bid to lower power rates.

According to the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS), the update will be done by the Department of Energy (DOE) to guide both the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO), and the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC).

“The use of nuclear power is also an important part of the energy mix that the DOE is eyeing,” the OPS said in a statement on Sunday.

Marcos, along with his running mate Vice President Sara Duterte, have long been pushing for the adoption of nuclear energy, which they said would lower electricity rates and help secure a steady power source.

His predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, last March issued executive order 164, directing the conduct of relevant studies for the adoption of a National Position for a Nuclear Energy Program.

Just last month Marcos met with French President Emmanuel Macron, and discussed the possibility of teaming up for nuclear energy projects.

The DOE in November said, however, that the Philippines will have to wait 10 years to see a working nuclear power plant, given the time needed for feasibility studies and other factors.

Moving forward, the government seeks to increase the share of renewable energy to 35% of the country’s power generation mix by 2030, and hike this to 50% by 2040.

These include offshore wind, waste-to-energy, expanded rooftop solar programs, as well as ocean and tidal stream energy.

The DOE in the second half of the year awarded 41 renewable energy service contracts with a potential capacity of 9.2 gigawatts, of which 6.2 gigawatts will come from offshore wind (OSW) service contracts.

“[T]he DOE has endorsed to the Office of the President a draft Executive Order that would strengthen and rationalize the regulatory framework for the immediate development of the OSW,” the OPS said. —LBG, GMA Integrated News