The Philippines is maintaining its target of generating its first nuclear power by 2035, even as regulatory and safety preparations have pushed the timeline beyond the government’s earlier 2032 goal.
Department of Energy Energy Utilization and Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said Thursday that the first nuclear power capacity could be connected to the national grid between 2035 and 2038.
“The grid integration, barring no changes yet made in the Philippine Grid Code and all of the other technical requirements, the actual injection of the capacities will start at around 2035 through 2038,” Aquino said during a public consultation.
The Department of Energy is preparing guidelines for the country’s first auction for nuclear power generation capacity. The rules will set requirements for potential participants, including capacity allocation, pricing, contracts, site selection, safety standards and government support.
The government is also considering taking up to a 10% stake in the first nuclear power project through the Philippine National Oil Co., Maharlika Investment Corp. or another government entity.
Any government participation will remain subject to negotiations, due diligence, required approvals and fiscal rules.
The nuclear power program is being developed alongside the creation of a new independent regulator.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12305 last September, creating the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, or PhilAtom.
The quasi-judicial agency will have sole and exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of the peaceful, safe and secure use of nuclear energy and radiation sources in the country.
Aquino said the government is continuing to prepare the requirements needed for the new regulator to begin its work.
“While it’s true that there are no specific implementing rules and regulations yet in place for RA 12305, the government has been preparing and is continuously preparing the requirements and is ready to assist the upcoming PhilAtom,” he said.
The DOE’s nuclear power timeline remains subject to the completion of regulatory, technical and safety requirements before any facility can be connected to the national grid.
