The governments of the Philippines and South Korea have agreed to jointly conduct a feasibility study on how to proceed with the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). This study will also serve as the catalyst for future nuclear energy cooperation between the two nations.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP) in Malacañan Palace. The feasibility study will commence in January next year.
“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 Lotilla said in a statement.
Under the deal, KHNP will pay for the technical and economic feasibility study for the BNPP.
The study aims to assess the viability, safety, and sustainability of various nuclear energy options and help the Philippine government make well-informed decisions about pursuing nuclear energy to support the country’s long-term energy goals.
The DOE said the feasibility study would be done in two phases: first, assessing the current condition of BNPP, and second, evaluating whether it is viable to revive it based on the data gathered from the first phase of the study.
“Should the findings from the first phase determine that proceeding to the next phase is not advisable, KHNP may recommend alternative options, including the construction of a conventional plant or the development of a small modular reactor,” it added.
KHNP operates the Kori Nuclear Power Site in Busan, an identical nuclear facility to the mothballed BNPP.
Under the PEP, the Philippines targets having its first nuclear power plant in 2032 with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, expanding to 2,400 MW by 2035 and reaching 4,800 MW by 2050.
Comments