PH and US Sign Agreement on Nuclear Energy Development

The Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. announced that a memorandum of agreement (MOU) was recently signed by the Philippines and the United States which is aimed at heightening the cooperation with regard to the development of nuclear energy in the country. Philippine Energy Undersecretary Gerardo Erguiza Jr. and US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins were the primary signatories of the MOU on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation inked on Thursday, March 10.

This new agreement follows President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order earlier this month to include nuclear power in the country’s energy mix, urging the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) to examine the possibility of reopening the dormant Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

The move also falls in line with the country’s goal of shifting away from coal dependency to encourage a more sustainable power supply mix. Jose Manuel Romualdez, the current Philippine Ambassador to the US, noted that the cooperation will “ensure a resilient, inclusive, and green economic growth for the Philippines, we need to intensify our work in securing reliable and sustainable energy sources, including nuclear energy.”

Erguiza elaborated that the MOU will advance the Department of Energy’s (DOE) knowledge and understanding of nuclear energy to hopefully improve the country’s capacity for nuclear infrastructure. This will hopefully be achieved through technical assistance to be provided by the US.

In light of the expected exhaustion of the Malampaya gas field in 2027, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has likewise expressed his approval of exploring nuclear energy as the demand for affordable energy increases amidst the evident decrease in sources of power. Jenkins also received the Philippines’ decision to add nuclear energy into its power mix.

“This is great news for those of us working together to deepen collaboration between the US companies and Philippine partners in making sure that nuclear energy contributes to Philippine growth,” explained Jenkins. The BNPP, which was established under the administration of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was never used.

Robert Pollard, a US nuclear engineer of the now-defunct US Atomic Energy Commission, visited the country in 1980 to inspect the BNPP. Pollard advised against the operation of the nuclear plant due to safety concerns and high costs, leading to its closure in 1986 during the presidency of the late Corazon Aquino.

Source: Rappler