DOE creates nuclear energy division

The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday announced the creation of a division tasked with drafting plans and policies for the Philippines’ eventual foray into nuclear power generation.

In a statement, the DOE said the creation of the Nuclear Energy Division was approved by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on May 16.

The Energy Department, citing the DBM, said the establishment of the Nuclear Energy Division was pursuant to Executive Order (EO) No. 116 dated July 24, 2022, EO No. 164 dated February 28, 2022, and House Resolution No. 134 dated August 8, 2023, which urged the DOE to create an Office of Nuclear Energy with plantilla positions of not less than 10 personnel that shall promote, formulate, and implement plans and programs to advance the utilization of nuclear energy in the country.

The Nuclear Energy Division will be under the Energy Utilization Management Bureau (EIMB), under the leadership of Director Patrick Aquino.

The nuclear energy group will be reporting directly to Undersecretary Sharon Garin, according to the DOE.

The Nuclear Energy Division is divided into two sections, namely the Resource Planning, Development, and Evaluation Section and the Resource Utilization and Monitoring Section.

The Resource Planning, Development, and Evaluation Section will have the following tasks:

• Formulates, develops, and implements framework, plans, strategies, and programs in the development and expansion, considering the Milestone Approach in Nuclear Energy
• Coordinates with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and other concerned government agencies to establish a harmonized roadmap, policies, and proposed laws to cover and champion the 19 Nuclear Infrastructure Issues
• Conducts seminars, training courses, technical briefings, fora, workshops, focused group discussions to facilitate information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns on nuclear energy
• Evaluates applications, permits, and licenses, and ensures strict compliance of operator-applicants with existing regulations and standards on nuclear energy
• Maintains and regularly updates a database inventory of operator-applicants and statuses of evaluation of applications
• Performs ad hoc functions that may be assigned.

The Resource Utilization and Monitoring Section will be in charge of the following:

• Formulates, develops, and implements policies, plans, and programs that will govern the utilization and monitoring of nuclear energy.
• Coordinates with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and other concerned government agencies to establish and implement strategic plans and policies for the utilization and monitoring of nuclear energy as a source of generating electricity in the country.
• Ensures the implementation of security, safety, and safeguard standards and protocols for established nuclear plants.
• Maintains and updates a database inventory on the utilization and operationalization of established nuclear plants.
• Performs ad hoc functions as may be assigned.

—VBL, GMA Integrated News