Bataan no longer ideal for BNPP

BALANGA CITY — The provincial government of Bataan on Friday disclosed that the province is no longer an ideal site for the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) as it is already keen on setting up various critical infrastructures, including power plants that could produce around 5,000 megawatts.

Bataan Governor Joet Garcia said that while the national government — as far as he knows — has commissioned a Korean company to study the feasibility of the BNPP, it is no longer the ideal site.

He also stressed that together with Representative Abet Garcia, they are firm in their position against the revival of the more than 40-year-old BNPP.

He said there have been a lot of changes already in Bataan since the BNPP was constructed, such as the establishment of critical infrastructures, first-class beach resorts, power plants set up by the Aboitiz power subsidiaries GNPD-GMEC that is generating 2,000 MW in Alas asin, Mariveles; the San Miguel coal-fired power plant of Ramon Ang, the expanding Freeport Area of Bataan, Anvaya Cove, Camaya resorts and hotels, among others.

The BNPP was constructed during the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., funded by a $2.1-billion loan during that time.