Energy experts gathered on Saturday to offer nuclear power as a “game-changing solution” to help satisfy the Philippines growing power needs.
“Nuclear power offers a game-changing solution to our energy needs. It is a clean, dependable and economically feasible energy source that can power our nation sustainably,” Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Mark Cojuangco said.
Cojuangco is a staunch advocate for nuclear energy and recipient of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Distinguished Public Service Award.
He chairs the House special committee on nuclear energy and sponsors House Bill No. 8218 which seeks to establish the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) and provide for a comprehensive legal framework for radiation protection, nuclear security, safety and safeguards in the utilization of nuclear energy.
“We hope to make nuclear a part of the country’s energy mix so Filipinos can enjoy cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable electricity,” Cojuangco said during the event.
Stand Up for Nuclear, the world’s first global initiative advocating for the protection and expansion of nuclear energy, convened on Saturday to discuss the Philippines’ readiness to embrace nuclear power at the SMX Aura in Taguig City.
Organizing this year’s event and the leading voice in the call to Stand Up for Nuclear was ALPAS Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting nuclear energy as a clean and sustainable source of power.
The event aimed to illuminate nuclear power’s potential in the Philippines and underscore its advantages during critical times.
“As advocates for nuclear energy, our mission is to effectively communicate its benefits and work toward a sustainable energy future for the Philippines. Amid the looming energy crisis, it is high time for us to realize the advantages of nuclear energy,” said ALPAS Pinas lead convenor Gayle Certeza.
The event, with the theme “Nuclear Now: Malinis, Maasahan, at Murang Kuryente para sa PINAS”, featured other eminent personalities in the field of nuclear energy including Cojuangco.
Meanwhile, Radiant Energy founder and managing director Mark Nelson said nuclear energy has proven itself as a powerful tool in the global effort to combat climate change.
“With its minimal greenhouse gas emissions and round-the-clock power generation, nuclear energy is an essential component of a sustainable energy portfolio. The Philippines, in particular, stands to benefit significantly by considering nuclear energy as part of its energy mix, making it a strategic resource to meet its growing energy demands,” he said.
Clean Energy Transition Alliance (CETA) founder Angelica Oung said their group firmly believed that embracing nuclear power could be a game-changer for the Philippines in terms of energy security and decarbonization.
“Beyond addressing immediate energy needs, nuclear energy can pave the way for cleaner and more resilient energy systems, ultimately reducing the country’s carbon footprint and contributing to a greener, more sustainable future,” Oung said.
ALPAS Pinas is among the more than 38 independent grassroots civil society organizations participating in Stand Up for Nuclear across the globe.