THE Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) said any safety concerns posed by nuclear power can be addressed by appropriate regulation.
PNRI made the remarks as Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) brought forward its efforts to develop nuclear energy, including studies to rehabilitate the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
“Most definitely…We want nuclear power…we want cheaper power for everybody and nuclear can provide that. But the concern of people is safety. We guarantee safety by regulation,” PNRI Director Carlo A. Arcilla said on the sidelines of a briefing by Alpas Pinas, a nuclear energy advocacy, on Tuesday.
Mr. Arcilla noted, however, that if Meralco is to construct and operate a nuclear power facility, the company will need to secure a license from PNRI.
During the briefing, Mr. Arcilla said nuclear energy plants provide power that is “92% available.”
In October, Meralco signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility Co., Ltd. to explore collaboration in developing low-carbon energy projects, including the rehabilitation of the BNPP.
The partnership follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) entered into by the Department of Energy and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) regarding a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study on the potential rehabilitation of the BNPP.
Asked for update, Meralco Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho said that MoU with Doosan “remains fully in force” and aligns with the government’s nuclear-energy roadmap.
“At this stage, Meralco and Doosan are conducting joint dialogues covering the potential rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and the feasibility of small modular reactors,” Mr. Aperocho told BusinessWorld via Viber.
However, nothing is firm pending the passage of the PhilATOM Bill and the issuance of key nuclear policies, he said.
PhilATOM refers to the prospective Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, which will have regulatory control over all sources of ionizing radiation, both from nuclear and radioactive materials as well as radiation devices.
“Specific to BNPP, we are supporting the DoE-led study with KHNP on its rehabilitation. We understand this may be finished towards the end of the year. We will be in a better position to share concrete milestones down the line once this study is completed,” Mr. Aperocho said.
Under the Philippine nuclear energy roadmap, the government targets at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear energy capacity by 2032, scaling up to 2,400 MW by 2040 and 4,800 MW by 2050.
By 2025, the necessary laws regarding the nuclear legal and regulatory framework are expected to be in place.
Meralco’s controlling stakeholder, Beacon Electric Asset Holdings, Inc., is partly owned by PLDT, Inc.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
