PH to Welcome Nuclear Power Soon

The Philippines may be able to harness the power of nuclear energy in the future as President Rodrigo Duterte signs an executive order (EO) to include nuclear energy as an energy source.

EO no. 164 was released on Thursday, formalizing the inclusion of nuclear energy in our energy mix.

The EO reads that the country: “shall ensure the peaceful use of nuclear technology anchored on critical tenets of public safety, national security, energy self-sufficiency, and environmental sustainability.”

The said EO will launch a program that will look into the possibility of rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). The nuclear program will also identify new areas to set up new nuclear power plants in the future.

Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) recommended the signing of the EO after a thorough pre-feasibility study and public consultation was conducted.

Duterte and the committee have recognized nuclear power can be a reliable, cost-competitive, and environment-friendly energy.

Nuclear energy will address the problem of the increasing demand for clean energy in the country. It can generate about 4.4 percent annually or an additional capacity of 68 gigawatts by 2040.

The Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi welcomes this new development saying that nuclear energy could help solve energy problems in the country.

DOE Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. said that nuclear power is a cheaper and cleaner energy source and would help the country to attain energy security.

Erguiza also mentioned that the government may pursue looking for more areas to put up nuclear power plants in the country.

In 1980s, There are about 15 areas were identified as viable locations for nuclear power namely Bataan, Cagayan, Quezon, Puerto Princesa, Negros Occidental, General Santos, Zamboanga del Norte, and Sulu.

Nuclear power is a very polarized topic due to safety concerns.

Erguiza, however, acknowledges the risks but said that the nuclear industry has already learned from past accidents that involve nuclear power plants, He also added that the industry has already innovated over the years and almost perfected it over the years.(ASC)