Meralco Partners with SK Firms as it Endeavors to Play Integral Role in PH’s Nuclear Energy Push
PARTNERS FOR INNOVATIVE ENERGY SOLUTIONS. Top officials of Manila Electric Co. and Doosan Enerbility Co., Ltd. have formalized a strategic partnership to drive energy innovation in the Philippines. In photo are (L-R) Doosan Chief Marketing Officer Jungkwan Kim, Doosan Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Yeonin Jung, Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, and Meralco Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho.
With rising electricity demand and environmental concerns, the Philippines is actively exploring nuclear energy development to diversify its energy mix and attain energy security.
Nuclear power is seen as a potential solution for reliable and low-carbon energy, and recent government efforts have focused on revisiting the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) and considering partnerships with international experts to establish a safe and modern Nuclear Energy Program (NEP).
Through Executive Order (EO) No. 164 signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in February 28, 2022, the Philippines adopted a national position for NEP, articulating the country’s decision to start considering nuclear power in its energy mix.
The EO paved way for the creation of the NEP–Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) led by the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out the NEP in accordance with international standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nation’s nuclear regulator.
PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE NATION-BUILDING. Manila Electric Co.’s MOUs with Doosan Enerbility Co., Ltd. and Samsung C&T Corporation were among the business-to-business agreements signed during the recent state visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The partnerships are in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for nuclear energy development as part of exploring clean and sustainable energy options for the Philippines.
photograph courtesy of Department of Trade and Industry
Following through his predecessor’s plan, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is pushing to realign our strategy towards building nuclear power plants to meet the growing power demands and to reduce carbon emissions of the country.
The Marcos administration is working closely with international partners, including the United States and South Korea, to explore advanced nuclear technologies and ensure regulatory framework align with global safety standards.
Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the country aims to initially have 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity 2032, which will then be increased to 2,400 MW by 2035 and to 4,800 MW by 2050.
Key Role in Nuclear Energy Development
Supporting the government’s thrust to explore and, eventually, deploy nuclear power plants in the country is Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), as it firms up efforts on nuclear energy development by venturing on partnerships to bolster power supply and to achieve long-term energy security.
Meralco is currently undertaking a feasibility study with US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) for the potential deployment of one or more micro-modular reactor (MMR) energy systems in the country.
The power distributor is also pursuing initiatives on knowledge sharing, capability-building, and formal education in the highly specialized field of nuclear engineering. This year, Meralco is sending Filipino scholars to nuclear engineering institutions in the United States and China.
