Philippines may have nuclear projects in 3 years, if next gov't prioritizes it — DOE

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines might be able to deploy nuclear projects in three years' time if the next administration prioritizes the inclusion of nuclear in the power mix, among others, according to two officials from the Department of Energy (DOE).

This comes around a month after the Palace announced that President Rodrigo Duterte inked Executive Order (EO) 164 which commits the Philippines to developing a nuclear power program. 

It is too late for the current administration to accomplish something that will turn Duterte's nuclear ambitions into reality since he only has one month left before he steps down. It is up to Duterte's successor to adopt nuclear or reverse the policy.

"If the next administration would want to go into this, the fastest that we can deploy nuclear is about three years' time," Patrick Aquino, Director of the DOE's Energy Utilization Management Bureau, said during a virtual event on Tuesday. 

"We need to pass the enabling legislation and most importantly, public acceptance is being sought at a national level and at a local level for the site-specific location of the nuclear power plant," he said. 

In an online exchange on Tuesday, DOE Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza, told Philstar.com that the three-year period which Aquino mentioned is 'doable, but tight." 

He explained that the country can reach the timeline if:

• the next administration will pursue a nuclear energy program and implement the inclusion of nuclear in the energy mix;
   
• the government opts for small modular reactors instead of the conventional plants which take seven or more years to install
   
• Congress passes the legal and regulatory framework required in building a nuclear power program.
   
• The nuclear projects get the acceptance of public and stakeholders.

"The Philippine Energy Plan, our long term program on energy, envisions nuclear energy to come in in 2030, may come in as early as 2027, as projected 2 to 3 years ago," he said.

Last month, Erguiza addressed the media's questions about the EO 164 which recognizes nuclear as a viable alternative which will address the projected decline of coal-fired power plants in the country, and help lessen carbon emissions.

The EO orders the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee to conduct more studies on the possible use of the mothballed $2.3-billion Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was completed in 1984 but never fueled. 

The policy also mandates the task force to look at establishing other facilities which generate power from nuclear. 

Environment group Greenpeace Philippines has long criticized the government's nuclear plans, believing that the energy source will only "burden Filipino consumers economically and expose the country to health hazards, contamination and disaster risks." 

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has been vocal for his support for nuclear, claiming that it is "really safe" and that it will help the Philippines achieve energy security. 

In an earlier interview with Philstar.com, Manila-based climate and energy policy group Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities Executive Director Red Constantino said the government's nuclear push is not consistent with its goals of modernizing the power sector- which must instead rely on flexible and distribution generation, with the help of renewable energy projects.