President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ renewed push for nuclear energy comes as the Philippines faces mounting pressure to secure reliable and affordable electricity.

The timing is significant. Just days before the President’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA), the Department of Energy reported that the Philippines recorded the highest residential electricity rates in ASEAN in June, overtaking even Singapore. Consumers paid an average of P12.43 per kilowatt-hour, driven by supply constraints and higher generation costs.

The country’s electricity demand is expected to accelerate as it pursues large-scale technology investments. Among the administration’s flagship initiatives is Pax Silica, an advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence industrial hub that President Marcos highlighted in his SoNA as a key component of the Luzon Economic Corridor. Designed to anchor AI, semiconductor manufacturing and high-tech industries, the project is expected to require up to 3 gigawatts of electricity once fully operational, placing enormous pressure on the country’s baseload power supply.

The Philippines is not alone in rethinking nuclear power. Around the world, governments are increasingly viewing nuclear energy as a way to meet surging electricity demand from AI data centers and advanced manufacturing while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

A recent report by The New York Times highlighted the United States’ effort to restart the long-idled Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan, a project backed by billions of dollars in public and private financing. The report noted that while the restart has encountered delays due to aging equipment, corrosion and costly upgrades, it reflects a broader global shift toward reviving nuclear power as countries race to secure reliable, around-the-clock electricity for next-generation industries.

The Times also noted that the Palisades experience underscores the challenges of nuclear expansion. Even with strong government backing, projects can face multibillion-dollar costs, technical setbacks and lengthy timelines before they begin generating electricity.