“The Philippines Nuclear Energy Roadmap aiming for commercially operational nuclear power plants by 2032, initially at 1,200 MW and increasing to 4,800 MW by 2050.”
The Philippines has made significant strides in its nuclear power program, receiving positive feedback from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The country completed construction of the 620-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in 1984, but never commissioned it due to safety concerns and political issues.
A 2022 presidential executive order outlined the government’s intention to include nuclear energy in the country’s energy mix. Earlier this year, the Philippines unveiled its Nuclear Energy Roadmap, aiming for commercially operational nuclear power plants by 2032, initially at 1,200 MW and increasing to 4,800 MW by 2050.
Nuclear infra
The IAEA said the Philippines is progressing in developing the necessary nuclear infrastructure. A follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission, conducted at the government’s request from Dec. 2 to 6, 2024, assessed the progress in addressing recommendations and suggestions from the initial 2018 INIR mission.
The mission team reviewed the status of nuclear infrastructure development using Phase 1 criteria of the IAEA Milestone Approach, evaluating the country’s readiness to commit to a nuclear power program.
The INIR mission team, composed of two international experts and two IAEA staff, noted significant progress by the Philippines in addressing most recommendations and suggestions and adopting a national position for a nuclear energy program.
The team highlighted the country’s progress in drafting a comprehensive nuclear law, completing assessments in human resource development, regulatory framework, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, emergency preparedness and response and drafting relevant policies and strategies.
Mehmet Ceyhan, mission team leader and IAEA Technical Lead, emphasized the Philippines’ commitment, noting the expanded composition of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) to 24 organizations and the active engagement of all sub-committees.
IAEA recommendations
The team suggested further work to finalize the nuclear power strategy and complete necessary studies for future activities related to the electrical grid, industrial involvement, and national legislation.
Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla welcomed the mission, saying it would guide the Philippines in safely and gradually progressing its nuclear energy adoption alongside renewables, adhering to global standards.
INIR missions are based on the IAEA Milestone Approach, with its 19 infrastructure issues, three phases (consider, prepare, and construct) and three milestones (decide, contract, and commission/operate). INIR missions enable IAEA member state representatives to discuss experiences and best practices with international experts.
Korean assistance
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy (DOE) and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. (KHNP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on nuclear energy cooperation, starting next month.
Korea, familiar with the BNPP due to 2008 and 2017 studies by Team Korea, will collaborate with the DOE to conduct a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study on the potential rehabilitation of the BNPP.
The MOU aims to generate critical information to guide the Philippine government’s decision-making process, not only on the BNPP but also on exploring other nuclear technologies and potential alternative sites.
The study will assess the feasibility, safety, and sustainability of various nuclear energy options. All costs associated with the feasibility study will be borne by KHNP, and the Philippine government is under no legal obligation to proceed with the BNPP rehabilitation or engage KHNP based on the study’s findings.
The feasibility study, beginning in January 2025, will be conducted in two phases. The first phase will assess the current condition of the BNPP and its components. The second phase will evaluate the plant’s potential for refurbishment using the most optimal model.
If the first phase determines that proceeding to the next phase is not advisable, KHNP may recommend alternative options, including the construction of a conventional plant or the development of a small modular reactor.
These alternatives will be presented as viable paths forward, offering flexibility in advancing the country’s nuclear energy agenda, based on the results of the initial phase.
