The Philippines’ Department of Energy (DOE) is aiming to achieve a 1,200-megawatt installed power capacity from nuclear resources through small modular reactor (SMR) technologies by 2032, DOE officials announced in an interview on Friday.
Secretary Raphael Lotilla emphasized the government’s openness to various technologies to meet the country’s growing power demand. He mentioned plans for commercial rollout of nuclear technologies by 2032, with a modest target of 1,200 MW.
DOE Secretary Rowena Cristina Guevara outlined that this capacity would be derived from eight 150-MW SMRs, with forecasts suggesting additional capacity increments by 2035 and 2050 under the DOE’s Clean Energy Scenario 1.
Manila Electric Company and AboitizPower Corp. have initiated partnerships with American firms Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. and NuScale Power Corp. (NYSE: SMR), respectively, to explore micro-modular reactors.
Additionally, DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin highlighted ongoing studies regarding the viability of conventional nuclear reactors like the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. Discussions with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. are underway to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for the BNPP.
Lotilla underscored the government’s commitment to prioritize safety in nuclear energy endeavors, stressing the necessity of establishing regulatory standards before implementing nuclear power plants. In line with safety concerns, Garin mentioned ongoing assessments of approximately 12 potential sites, primarily in western parts of the country, for future nuclear power facilities.
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