THE Department of Energy (DoE) on Monday said that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. (KHNP) to conduct a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study on the possible rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol witnessed the signing in Malacañang.
The DoE said the MoU was designed to generate critical information to guide the Philippine government’s decision-making, not only on the BNPP, but also in exploring other nuclear technologies and potential alternative sites for nuclear energy development.
“The signing of this MoU builds on the strong foundation of energy cooperation between the two countries. For the Philippines, it is a continuation of our efforts to enhance energy security, as outlined in the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP),” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.
The DoE said that Korea had a long-standing familiarity with the BNPP based on previous studies conducted in 2008 and 2017 by KHNP, Korea Electric Power Corp (Kepco), Kepco Plant Service & Engineering (KPS), and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction.
The BNPP, which was began construction in 1976 and was almost completed in 1984, never became operational due to safety concerns in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986 and allegations of corruption.
The new study, scheduled to start in January 2025, will be done in two phases. The first phase will assess the current condition of the BNPP and its components, while the second will evaluate whether the plant can be refurbished using the most optimal model.
The DoE clarified the study would be exploratory in nature and any subsequent action would be subject to further evaluation and decision by the Philippine government.
All costs the study incurred will be charged to KHNP. The Philippine government is under no legal obligation to proceed with the rehabilitation of the BNPP or to engage KHNP based on the study’s findings.
In case the results of the first phase of the study reject proceeding to the next phase, KHNP may recommend alternative options, including the construction of a conventional plant or the development of a small modular reactor.
In another development, the Philippines presented its Nuclear Energy Roadmap (NEP) at the 68th International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna. During the event’s general debate, Energy Undersecretary Sharon Garin emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to establishing an independent nuclear regulatory body which will oversee the safe and secure development of the NEP.
The country aims to have its first nuclear power plant operational by 2032, with an initial capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW), expanding to 2,400 MW by 2035 and reaching 4,800 MW by 2050, as outlined in the PEP.
The DoE has said that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to diversify the country’s energy mix, strengthen energy security, and drive investment in human capital.
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