Metro Manila, Philippines – France is positioning its decades of nuclear expertise to support the Philippines as the Marcos administration moves toward adding nuclear power to the country’s energy mix.
In an exclusive interview on The Newsmaker, outgoing French Ambassador Marie Fontanel said the energy company, Électricité de France, commonly known as EDF, has had discussions in the Philippines and continues to engage with officials in preparation for a possible civilian nuclear energy program.
“They came already in the country and they continue to come to engage with the Philippines to prepare for the moment when the Philippines would be ready to launch a nuclear, civil nuclear energy plan,” she said.
Fontanel pointed to France’s nuclear power energy, which accounts for a major share of its electricity source.
“We have that experience, we have that expertise,” she added.
EDF reported producing 373 terawatt-hours of nuclear electricity last year.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he will renew his push for nuclear energy as the country faces high electricity prices and seeks more reliable power sources.
Marcos said the country should revisit establishing a nuclear power as part of a broader strategy to increase electricity supply and reduce costs. His administration is pursuing around 200 energy projects while expanding renewable sources and preparing for nuclear power.
Fontanel said energy was among the portions of the SONA that resonated with France.
French companies are already involved in renewable energy projects in the Philippines, including solar and hydrogen. Fontanel specifically pointed to a hydrogen project in Mindanao involving French company Hydrogène de France.
