The country took a bold step forward towards a nuclear power program, despite its being a highly-politicized energy source, to support the country's growing electricity demands.

The Philippines and the United States of America signed an agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy or the 123 Agreement on 16 November in San Francisco, California.

The signing of the agreement was significant as it made the United States the likely source of nuclear energy technology after earlier negotiations with potential Korean and Russian suppliers.

Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla signed the agreement on behalf of the Philippines and as chairperson of the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee or NEPIAC.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on the other hand, signed on behalf of the United States.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"(This) is reflective of an enduring cooperative effort between the Philippines and the US on harnessing civilian nuclear power for sustainable development," Lotilla said.

"Beyond nuclear power applications to combat climate change, the new agreement facilitated cooperation in a wide array of other peaceful uses of atomic energy, all supportive of various Sustainable Development Goals, including plant breeding, livestock production, insect pest control, soil and crop management, water use efficiency, plastic waste disposal, food safety, health, and medicine," Lotilla added.

Framework foundation

The 123 Agreement primarily outlines the legal framework for potential nuclear power projects with US providers.

It aims to facilitate cooperation between the parties in the safe and secure use of nuclear energy following the standards and safeguards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The deal will allow the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment, and components directly between the Philippines and the US or through persons authorized by their respective authorities to engage in transfer activities, which will support potential nuclear power projects with US providers.

The Agreement will likewise pave the way for streamlining the licensing requirements for the private sector concerning investments in nuclear-related intangible transfers of technology.

The negotiations for the 123 Agreement, according to the Department of Energy, was about seven months in the making.

Identifying initial areas

Relatedly, the Manila Electric Co. or Meralco, the country's biggest power distribution player, also signed a cooperative agreement with US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. or USNC to jointly study the viable areas in the country where MMRs can be deployed.

Meralco chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, represented by Meralco executive vice president and COO Ronnie Aperocho, and USNC Founder and CEO Francesco Venneri executed the deal at the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Summit. No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing.

The cooperative agreement allowed USNC to conduct a four-month pre-feasibility study to help Meralco become familiar with MMR systems and how they can be effectively used in the Philippines.

Meralco may conduct a more comprehensive feasibility study on the adoption and deployment of MMR energy systems depending on the results of the pre-feasibility study.

The study will assist Meralco in making critical decisions and potential future activities on project-specific studies and project development plans at identified sites. It will assess financial, technical, safety, and siting, among other factors.