How Russia's modular nukes can boost Philippines energy

How Russia's modular nukes can boost Philippines energy

The Philippines is studying Russia's offer to provide modular nuclear
reactors, as the Southeast Asian nation moves to meet growing energy demand
while building stronger ties with the Kremlin, a Filipino envoy said
Tuesday.

"It's a technology we should look at," Philippine Ambassador to Russia
Carlos Sorreta told ABS-CBN News.

The Philippines' Department of Energy and the Russian State Atomic Energy
Corp or ROSATOM agreed last month to cooperate on nuclear energy
development, after President Rodrigo Duterte met with Russian President
Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Sorreta said it was "possible" for the Philippines to adopt some form of
nuclear technology from Russia within Duterte's 6-year term.

Modular nuclear reactors, if deployed at sea, are mobile, making it easy for
Manila to deploy it near areas hit by blackouts or areas where supply can't
keep up with growing industrial demand, Sorreta said.

"In a figurative way, you park one of these barges in Palawan, you can light
up the whole place. Industry can grow," he said.

The reactors can also be moved easily by land, he said. "Conceptualised, you
can put it on the back of the train and move it around, you can be very
selective in where you put it."

And since nuclear power is cheaper, modular reactors can help bring down
electricity rates, potentially attracting more investors, he said.

Modular reactors are also scalable, compared to coal-fired plants, which may
not run on full capacity, he said.

The Philippines also has the option to rent the modular reactors. Depending
on the terms, Russia can supply fuel to the barges, he said.

Duterte last year ordered a study on the feasibility of tapping nuclear
power, including the possible revival of the US-built Bataan Nuclear Power
Plant.

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Link to Original Article:
http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/06/20/17/how-russias-modular-nukes-can-boos
t-ph-energy

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com