AboitizPower sees huge nuclear potential in Philipines energy mix

MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz Power Corp. expects nuclear energy to be a major part of the country’s energy mix. The only question for the company, however, is how soon it will happen.

“I believe that large nuclear, small modular reactors (SMRs) and even micro modular reactors (MMRs) have a place in our economy because we need all of them and we will need a lot of them,” AboitizPower thermal business group chief operating officer Felino Bernardo said.

“The developers will have to see what is out there, match it with our current needs and make sure that they will be able to deliver them on time and, of course, safely,” he said.

He said the only question in terms of nuclear energy in the Philippines is “when?”

“In the case of the Philippines, for us the initial step is really a choice between what we have there (in Bataan) or do we build a new one. It’s just a matter of time frame,” he said.

However, the AboitizPower executive said the country at some point in time would really need to consider SMRs or MMRs, probably by the early 2030s.

“Nuclear will be a big portion of the Philippines’ energy mix because I think that the technology ticks all the boxes,” Bernardo said.

“It’s just a matter of time when each particular technology will fit in to our needs,” he said.

On its end, AboitizPower continues to expand its understanding of nuclear energy, a power source which the company is keen on introducing to the Philippines.

The company sees nuclear energy as a potential source of reliable and clean baseload power for the country.

“I think it will start with the amendment or the passing of laws that are in the Lower House today, that is the first step for us,” Bernardo said.