BUSINESS
Phl firms up nuclear site selection
The DoE has concluded an intensive Site and External Events Design Workshop, results of which will equip regulators with internationally recognized methodologies for evaluating potential nuclear plant sites against hazards such as earthquakes, flooding, volcanic activity, extreme weather and other natural and human-induced risks.
The Philippines has firmed up the nuclear plant site selection process after completing a key technical workshop with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under its long-term energy security agenda.
Over the weekend, the Department of Energy (DoE) said that it concluded an intensive Site and External Events Design (SEED) Workshop, which will equip regulators with internationally recognized methodologies for evaluating potential nuclear plant sites against hazards such as earthquakes, flooding, volcanic activity, extreme weather and other natural and human-induced risks.
Enhance institution’s technical capabilities
The workshop also enhanced the technical capabilities of institutions involved in the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program.
“Meeting the country’s growing energy needs requires us to pursue every viable, safe, and sustainable energy option. Nuclear energy has the potential to become a transformative pillar of our energy future. It can provide reliable, round-the-clock electricity, attract high-value investments, strengthen the Philippines’ competitiveness in the global semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries, and create quality jobs for future generations of Filipinos,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.
“Selecting the right site is among the most critical decisions in developing a nuclear power program. Through our close collaboration with the IAEA, we are ensuring that every step is guided by science, rigorous technical evaluation, and the highest international standards for safety, resilience and public protection,” she added.
Revised nuclear capacity tender guidelines
DoE director Patrick Aquino said the department is finalizing revised Nuclear Capacity Tender Guidelines while continuing to identify the proposed site for the country’s first nuclear power project.
The guidelines will cover project sites, eligible technologies, transmission requirements, energy storage integration and bid evaluation criteria ahead of the country’s first nuclear capacity tender.
The DoE is also studying the integration of energy storage systems into future nuclear projects to improve grid reliability and complement the country’s expanding renewable energy capacity.
Nuclear power ambitions
In his fifth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. revived the country’s nuclear power ambitions and called on Congress to fast-track legislation that would expand rooftop solar adoption to strengthen energy security and bring down some of Southeast Asia’s highest electricity prices.
Marcos said the country should once again consider generating electricity from nuclear power, describing it as a viable long-term solution to secure the country’s energy supply while lowering electricity costs.