Philippines wants to have commercial nuclear power plants by 2032

MANILA, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) — The Philippines aims to have commercially operational nuclear power plants by 2032, initially adding at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) to the country’s energy mix, the Philippine Department of Energy said on Wednesday.

The Philippines presented its nuclear energy roadmap last week at the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria, the agency said in a press release.

During the High-Level General Debate of the IAEA Conference, Philippine Undersecretary for Energy Sharon Garin described 2024 as a milestone year for the Philippines as this is the year when the Nuclear Development Roadmap will be released, outlining the country’s future path using the IAEA’s milestone approach to developing a nuclear program.

“Our goal is to have commercially operational nuclear power plants by 2032. Initially, at least 1,200 MW will be added to the country’s electricity mix and the output will be gradually increased to 4,800 MW by 2050,” said Garin.

Garin stressed that the Philippines was actively working to establish an independent nuclear regulatory agency to oversee the safe development of the country’s nuclear energy program.

She also noted that the government is giving high priority to the adoption of key nuclear safety legislation to ensure that the legal and regulatory framework is in place to safeguard public health, environmental protection and national security as the country moves toward the utilization of nuclear energy.

In November, the International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum will be held in Manila, Philippines, where representatives from government and the private sector will explore opportunities for partnership in the field of nuclear energy.