Singapore, Philippines agree to explore nuclear energy

SINGAPORE – Singapore and the Philippines on Tuesday signed letters of intent on two major power fronts, nuclear and on the bilateral cross-border connectivity, that are geared towards supporting energy security for both ASEAN member states.

One of the Letters of Intent signed by the two nations during the Singapore International Energy Week was for the “Collaboration in Capability Development in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy.”

Both countries have recently intensified efforts to explore the possibility of developing nuclear power capabilities, backed by their corresponding leaders.

Under the pact, both nations have committed to deepen understanding on advanced nuclear technology, human resource development, nuclear waste management, and civil liability framework, among others. These can be achieved through exchange of information and best practices, exchange of government officials and relevant experts, and research cooperation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently said the government is “serious” about establishing nuclear energy in the Philippines, since the data center boom is seen to drive power demand.

One of the possibilities the Philippine government is looking at is the mothballed Bataan nuclear power plant. However, whether it is worth reviving or not is still under scrutiny, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin told reporters at the sideline of the Singapore International Energy Week.

“We’re going to do this very carefully…But whether we put it in Bataan, Masbate or Palawan or whichever area…we just really need to do it properly. Prepared tayo. It might not happen now or next year pero I think the foundations are there, we know which technology we want, ano safeguards natin, anong technology kukunin natin we need to prepare all that. So the very next decade, for example, we’re confident about building one,” Garin said.

“Ang question kasi sa rehabilitation it’s faster, you spend money but how long will it last? A new build could last for 60-80 years, ang refurbishment mga 20 years lang sya so is it worth it? So it’s not just as simple as i-retrofit mo Yung building… we’re soliciting we talked to different companies, we’re soliciting pa their proposals,” she added.

Funding the nuclear initiative is also another story. According to Garin, there are a lot of potential partners, many of which have expressed intent to collaborate, including Meralco, AboitizPower and Prime Energy, among others. Even the Maharlika Investment Corp (MIC) has shown interest, the energy chief said.

“The decision on how the government will participate, will it require an amendment of EPIRA? It could be a consortium. But at the end of the day, for the nuclear project, there should be substantial government involvement, whether as a stakehole, regulator or financier, the government should be there,” Garin said.

For Singapore, nuclear is seen as among those considered as “promising pathway,” said Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industy.

He said the government would work with global experts and also independently assess their capability in nuclear safety and radioactive waste management, among others. Harnessing talents and industry programs were also part of their initiative.

“Should Singapore eventually decide to adopt nuclear power, the government is committed to upholding the highest standards of nuclear security and safeguards in full accordance with our international obligations,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency’s Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol believes “nuclear is going to make a comeback.”

“Now many countries want to build nuclear power plants and some countries who wanted to phase out nuclear power plants such as Spain changed their mind, they want to go ahead with their existing nuclear programs. Now, the appetite for nuclear is also increased as a result of the current crisis,” he said.

Currently there are 90 GW of nuclear power capacity under construction, which Birol said is the highest in the last 4 decades.