Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 5) — Nuclear energy could be tapped as a source of power for the Philippines, with a facility likely to be built during a 10-year period straddling the Marcos administration and his successor, the Department of Energy (DOE) said on Wednesday.
In a forum in Quezon City, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla told reporters that the government has commissioned studies to determine sites best suited for the nuclear facility that should meet the requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The DOE has also tapped the National Economic and Development Authority for a framework through which private companies can venture into nuclear energy.
Lotilla added that since existing laws bar the government from the power generation space, Congress has to lay the groundwork for the country’s foray into nuclear energy.
\”Within the decade, I am sure we can place ourselves on track for that,\” the secretary said. \”It is for Congress to determine the decision on whether or not we should go for nuclear power, and even the timing will be determined by them. We are making sure that when that decision is made, assuming Congress gives the green light, we won’t be starting from scratch.\”
During his US trip earlier this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with developers of small modular reactors, as the Philippines searches for alternative sources of generating electricity that is considered among the most expensive in Asia.
Lotilla in May had said the \”viable alternative\” is the modular technology, although it is still in the demo stage and not yet for commercial rollout. He had also said American nuclear energy proponents pitched a nuclear facility that is \”safer\” than conventional models so that meltdown episodes can be averted.
Lotilla to NGCP: Deliver
In the same forum, Lotilla also took a swipe at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), telling the lone grid operator to deliver what it’s supposed to under its franchise.
Lotilla branded the NGCP as \”the biggest monopoly\” — it being the sole owner of a 50-year franchise to operate, maintain and expand the country’s transmission system — but said it still has \”major projects\” that were still \”delayed.\”
The energy chief added that with the NGCP enjoying a tax incentive of just 3% franchise tax in lieu of other taxes, it should perform.
\”There is no other company that enjoys such privilege whether local or foreign…With the favor granted by Congress, the people expect NGCP to deliver,\” he stressed.
A wide power outage in Luzon last May had set off a series of regulatory audits on NGCP, which at that time has not had a performance audit since its 2009 inception.
