Gov’t eyes granting nuclear plant licenses next year; construction begins at ₱500B - Garin

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government plans to accept applications for the construction of nuclear power plants in 2026 in line with the roadmap to develop the controversial energy source.

“Our target is by next year, a company can come to the Philippines and apply for a license,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said in a Senate budget hearing on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Senate finance committee chairman Win Gatchalian noted that the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) must first be formally constituted before any licensing can proceed. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) are still being drafted, as the law creating the regulatory body was only passed in September.

Garin said the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) can already function as a regulatory body and that resources will soon be transferred to PhilAtom — calling it a “good start.”

She said preparations are in full swing, with the department coordinating with various government agencies for the required permits — including the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as well as permits from the Departments of National Defense and Finance.

“We’re now at the stage that we’re assessing all the permitting processes in the different agencies para alam na nila ang kailangan nila hingin [so they’ll know what to ask] once there is an application,” Garin said.

At least ₱500B needed

Garin and Gatchalian agreed that building a nuclear power plant would cost at least $10 billion, or over ₱500 billion.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is offering incentives, including exempting the first-ever nuclear power plant from the competitive selection process (CSP).

“I know the intention, but I’m also concerned with our least-cost principle,” Gatchalian said, noting that such incentives would guarantee a ready market for the company.

Senator JV Ejercito pointed out that construction could take five to ten years, to which Garin responded that it might take even longer.

“Construction we cannot control,” she said, noting that what’s important for now is to get the ball rolling by granting licenses.

Garin added that the goal is to have at least one company licensed within the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which ends in 2028.

PH a frontrunner in nuclear energy

A recent report by Fitch Solutions’ BMI stated that the Philippines is emerging as a frontrunner in Southeast Asia in terms of nuclear energy development.

Senator Pia Cayetano, however, questioned the assessment.

“A year and a half ago, we have done nothing. Nothing. And then now we are at the forefront… Kaninong PR yun [Whose PR is that]?” She asked.

Garin defended the report, saying the country has made steady progress since the Marcos administration revived the nuclear energy program in 2022.

“Why are we considered nauuna sa Southeast Asia? Because we have been steady. Indonesia at one point was ahead of us but hindi steady kasi the legislative medyo binawi uli yung authority,” Garin said.

[Translation: Why are we considered ahead in Southeast Asia? Because we have been steady. Indonesia was ahead of us at one point, but their legislative support wavered.]

“Comparatively we are ahead of the rest, with the rest of the countries in Southeast Asia in preparation for the building [of] the power plant. Hindi po ‘yan PR. Totoo iyan [That’s not PR — that’s real],” she added.

The Philippine Nuclear Power Plant in Bataan was built in the 1970s to 1980s during the term of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, but the debt-saddled project was mothballed over safety concerns.