NUCLEAR POWER | Philippines plans to cooperate with the U.S. in developing nuclear energy program

March 14, 2022 , 06:29 PM

By Clarist Zablan, News5 Digital

(March 14, 2022) – The Philippines plans to cooperate with the United States to develop a safe and reliable nuclear energy program, the country’s ambassador to Washington said on Monday as the two allies deepen ties on energy development that could be an alternative to the dirty coal and fossil fuel.

Jose Manuel Romualdez said two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation (MOU-SCNC) to start exploring and developing a nuclear energy program. The MOU-SCNC was signed by the Philippines’ energy undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins at the U.S. Department of State.

“To ensure a resilient, inclusive, and green economic growth for the Philippines, we need to intensify our work in securing reliable and sustainable energy sources, including nuclear energy,” Romualdez said in his remarks during the signing.

He said they hope to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy through the cooperation agreement with the U.S., as well as fulfill the nation’s goals to reduce carbon emissions.

Coal continues to dominate the Philippines’ power mix, accounting for almost half of the nation’s energy supply. It is followed by natural gas at 21.1% and geothermal by 10.1%. Renewable sources only make up 3.1% of the power mix.

Through the agreement, Erguiza said that the energy department will intensify its collaboration with the U.S. through various technical assistance, seeking to improve knowledge on the energy source by ramping up capacities on the nation’s nuclear infrastructure.

Early this month, President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order declaring nuclear power as a viable alternative power source, seeking to address an anticipated decline in coal-fired power plants after the country had made strong commitments to reduce carbon emission in a Paris meeting.

The agreement includes a push on the possibility of reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was constructed during the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ regime but was mothballed for four decades due to safety concerns and allegations of corruption.

Jenkins welcomed Duterte’s move, saying the US is delighted to work with the Philippines to advance the vision towards preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and addressing the climate crisis.

“This is great news for those of us working together to deepen collaboration between the US companies and Philippine partners in making sure that nuclear energy contributes to Philippine growth,” Jenkins said.

Nuclear power is favored over coal as an energy source as it does not emit greenhouse gases, but some environmental groups have raised concerns it could expose the country to risks of nuclear disasters, and worsen debt problems due to its high construction and maintenance costs.

Presidential candidates have shown mixed reactions on Duterte’s nuclear power ambitions.

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