DOE hopes private sector participation in PH’s foray into nuclear energy

The Department of Energy (DOE) is hoping for private sector participation in the government’s aim to include nuclear power in the country’s energy mix.

“Our hope is the private sector in our country will pursue nuclear power as we have a target that by 2032 we will have 1,200 megawatts [generation capacity],” DOE Undersecretary Rowena Guevara told reporters at the sidelines of the Media Power 102 Training Program in Taguig City on Wednesday.

The Energy official made the remark after the United States and the Philippines Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy entered into force on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. 

Pinning hopes on private sector investments towards nuclear power generation, Guevara cited Manila Electric Company’s feasibility study on nuclear power development in the Philippines, following a November 2023 agreement with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation covering the study of the potential deployment of one or more micro-modular reactor energy systems in the Philippines.

“We saw that Meralco has a pre-feasibility study which is wrapping up… they’re going after a micromoduclar reactor system,” she said.

In a separate statement, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla welcomed the entry into force of the 123 Agreement.

The agreement provides for the safe and secure use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, for information, knowledge, and technology exchange related to nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation. 

The accord aims to facilitate Philippine-US cooperation for the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment and components taking into full account the standards and safeguards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as in accordance with their respective national laws, international agreements, and regulations.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines formally informed the United States last June 26, 2024 that the Philippines has completed its domestic requirements for the Agreement’s entry into force,” Lotilla said.

“The 123 Agreement will pave the way for the transfer of information and expertise, nuclear material, equipment, and components directly between the Philippines and the US or through persons authorized by their respective authorities to engage in transfer activities, which will support potential nuclear power projects with US providers,” he said.

With this, the Energy chief said the Nuclear Energy Program-Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) is now finalizing the country’s nuclear energy program roadmap which outlines key targets that must be achieved for the successful use of nuclear energy for power generation. 

“Under the 2023-2050 Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), the entry of nuclear power generation capacities is targeted in 2032 with at least 1,200 MW, and additional 1,200 MW by 2035 and 2,400 MW by 2050,” Lotilla said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News