US firm Valar Atomics plans to build a “micro high temperature gas reactor” in partnership with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute as a “proof of concept.”
Valar Atomics Research Institute president Kip Mock said the reactor would be the first of its type to be built in the Philippines.
“It’s simply a proof of concept, the pilot project for future commercial reactors that we hope to bring here to the Philippines soon, so, this contract is simply for that first step,” Mock said.
He said the move is meant to demonstrate nuclear physics as a small scale.
Mock said the Philippines is an archipelago and has a strong need for reliable baseload power.
“And so, we think that it’s really important to develop this technology here and collaboration with the PNRI and PNSF (Philippine Nuclear Science Foundation), and local universities and MSU-IIT [Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology] is the first one, but we hope to bring more Philippine universities into this project and into future projects,” he said.
Mock said nuclear technology would help bring down the cost of energy in the country. He said they were hoping to begin construction of the “low risk” reactor soon, but did not provide details.
“We’re going to begin the licensing. We’re already we have already begun the licensing process with the PNRI through their regulatory arm. We will work as quickly as we can, as quickly as we can while maintaining all standards of safety safeguards and security,” he said.
He said the signing of the US and Philippines’ Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (or 123 Agreement), which entered into force on July 2, 2024, paved the way for US firms to participate in the emerging Philippine nuclear industry.