An inter-agency committee led by the Department of Energy (DOE) has started drafting the country’s National Policy and Strategy for Safety on Nuclear Energy.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, in his speech during the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) roundtable on Tuesday, said the national safety strategy shall apply the essential safety principles established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“The government is now laying the grounds that will satisfy the competency requirements based on the milestone approach of the International Atomic Energy Agency, including stable government policy support with favorable public perception,” Lotilla said.
He said the policy document being drafted is intended to foster transparency in all related activities of nuclear energy program, particularly on the protection of the people and the environment.
“Nuclear energy is favored as a sustainable, sufficient, and environmentally friendly source of electricity. It is considered as one of the catalysts to decarbonization strategies. It can complement renewable energy in reducing power sector emissions while also contributing to electricity security as a dispatchable power source,” the energy chief said.
He said the administration is ramping up efforts to diversify energy sources, including an openness to nuclear power.
He said the DOE foresees offshore wind and nuclear and other emerging technologies accounting for the increase in power capacities of around 19,000 megawatts (MW).
“The entry of these emerging technologies in the energy mix will complement the country’s energy transition. New nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) will bolster the role of nuclear power in our energy mix,” he said.
“As power systems decarbonize and the share of solar and wind power rises, SMRs can contribute to meeting the rising power system flexibility needs. They can also be used for industrial and hydrogen
production,” Lotilla said.
He said government is collaborating with various institutions, including development partners on the approaches to nuclear power, especially on funding and financing mechanism to attract investments
and encourage technology adoption.
“We are also working with our private sector to see what investment framework can best be adapted by government taking into account the particular risk facing nuclear power,” he said.
Lotilla said policy and regulatory reforms are ultimately needed to stimulate investments in nuclear power program and its success will hinge on strong support from all stakeholders.
Aboitiz Power Corp. chief operating officer for Therma Business Group Felino Bernardo said the first step to nuclear power development is the passing of relevant laws.
“Once that is done, it requires setting up the regulatory body and for that regulatory body to build its capability and come up with regulations, policies and guidelines for us developers to follow. The DOE has to put it in their policy, the energy mix of the Philippines and come up with the right signal for developers to come up with their own plans to make sure that we build accordingly,” Bernardo said.
He said the current contracts under the competitive selection policy is up to 15 years but nuclear has a usable life of up to 40 to 80 years.
He said large nuclear, SMRs and even MMRs (micro modular reactors) have a place in the economy “because we need all of them and we will need a lot of them.”
“Developers will have to see what is out there, match it with our current needs and make sure that they will be able to deliver them on time, safely,” Bernardo said.
“Nuclear will be a big portion of the Philippines’ energy mix because I think the technology ticks all the boxes. Its just a matter of time when each particular technology will fit in to our needs,” he said.