Nuclear still an option for Philippines

Nuclear still an option for Philippines

The Philippines is studying including nuclear energy in the primary energy
mix by 2040 but a nuclear policy that will address safety and acceptability
concerns has yet to be put in place.

Studies are ongoing at the Department of Energy to include nuclear energy
for power generation in the 3.1 percent projected share of new technologies
in energy mix.

Energy Undersecretary Jess Posadas said the Philippines is open to the use
of nuclear energy to power its economic development from the P8.9 trillion
worth of investments in infrastructure in the next five years.

Posada said the Philippines is presently in the process of developing and
formulating its national position on nuclear energy but admits that this
will not be easy.

"If the infrastructure projects will be built, the Philippines will need
huge amounts of energy," he said, adding that nuclear power has the
potential of meeting such huge energy demand.

Posadas said one gram of uranium is equivalent to 1.8 million cubic meters
of oil and three million grams of coal.

"Nuclear energy would last longer than other fuels," said Posadas.

He stressed that the country has always viewed nuclear energy as a long-term
option for power generation that will provide supply security, stability and
reliability.

"Should this be the path that the country will take, nuclear further
diversifies our existing generation mix comprised of coal, natural gas,
geothermal, hydropower, oil, wind, biomass and solar," the official said.

He said that owing to its baseload characteristics allowing it to run 24
hours a day, seven days a week, nuclear can support the thrust of the
Philippine government which is the realization of the Philippine Development
Plan's drive for industrialization and urbanization.

"It is central for a country towards the path of development to have the
available and required capacity to meet the nation's increasing demand
requirements," Posadas said.

He said nuclear's pivotal role to augment supply will also aid in
accomplishing Ambisyon Natin 2040, a long-term vision that highlights the
aspirations, values and principles of the Filipino people for themselves and
for the country.

Posadas also said the Philippines is "privileged to have a President that
personifies strong political will which is essentially one decisive factor
if a country is to embark on a nuclear power program.

The DOE official said discussions on nuclear energy as well as radioactive
sources tend to attract issues on security.

"We are cognizant of this and must admit that this issue cannot be
discounted as people and the environment must always be protected. As you
would note, security and physical protection is just one of the 19
infrastructure issues identified by the IAEA for countries pursuing nuclear
power development. When we talk about radioactive sources, there is also
emphasis on security. There must be a security culture practiced and a
system well in place," he said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has set 19 issues that need to be
addressed to assist countries considering nuclear energy for power
generation.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has said that government will come out with a
final recommendation on way forward for the mothballed 620 megawatt Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant.

The Bataan Nuclear facility has not operated for the past 30 years amid
safety concerns.

Cusi earlier said that in the event that repowering the Bataan nuclear power
plant is not feasible, the Philippines can also look into using modular or
smaller sized nuclear facilities.

"We can be cautious. We can move with caution so we can start with modular.
We have to listen to the experts," he said.

President Duterte has given his go signal to Cusi to study nuclear as an
option for the country's long-term power requirements.

Cusi has since then issued department order DO2016-10-0013 creating the
nuclear energy program implementing organization or NEPIO in the DOE.

The NEPIO will produce produce a comprehensive study and prepare a national
infrastructure for the first nuclear power plant.

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Link to Original Article:
http://thestandard.com.ph/supplements/mixed-energy-special-report/240250/nuc
lear-still-an-option-for-ph.html

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com