By Almira Louise S. Martinez, Reporter
A commercially operational power plant by 2032 could be achieved through the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) revival, a congressman said on Monday.
As mentioned within the Philippine Nuclear Energy Roadmap, the country goals to incorporate nuclear power plants in the facility mix by introducing at the least 1,200 megawatts and steadily increasing to 4,800 megawatts by 2050.
Chairman of the House Committee on Nuclear Energy and Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Marcos Juan Bruno O. Cojuangco said this goal is unattainable unless the federal government strives to operationalize the BNPP.
“They’ve not even identified the form of nuclear plant they need to buy,” he told BusinessWorld. “In the event that they were to inform me that they’ll run the Bataan Nuclear Plant by 2032, I might consider them since it is 100% complete,” he added.
Re-opening the 1986 mothballed power plant would take 4 to 5 years to commission, in response to Mr. Cojuangco. “Bataan can supply 620 megawatts, and you possibly can construct the three AP-1000 there, which may supply 1100 megawatts each for a complete capability of 3920.”
Because the BNPP closure, the federal government has tried different energy sources, comparable to wind, solar, and geothermal. The committee head identified that these technologies have failed to produce adequate power for the country over the past 38 years.
“They should increase their ambition for nuclear power, which is a clean yet reliable source that’s low-cost,” he said.
Mr. Cojuangco identified that the AP-1000 of Westinghouse Electric Company, APR-1000 of Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (KHNP), and the CANDU 6 of Canada are the three readily deliverable nuclear plants fit for the country.
“If there will likely be a constraint in developing nuclear within the Philippines, it’ll be our financial capability to finance.”
The Philippines and South Korea inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on October 7 to begin the feasibility study of the BNPP by January 2025.
The study will likely be divided into two phases – an assessment of the plant’s current condition and an evaluation of its viability to operate.
“KHNP may recommend alternative options, including the development of a standard plant or the event of a small modular reactor,” the Department of Energy (DOE) said.
Related story:
The Promise of Power: The Bataan Nuclear Power plant