Manila: Philippine and United States officials, along with private sector representatives, signed three memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on Monday to support nuclear energy development. The Philippines aims to incorporate nuclear power into its energy mix while increasing the renewable energy's share of total capacity to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040.
According to Philippines News Agency, one MOU, signed by the US Trade and Development Agency and the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), allocates USD2.7 million for a feasibility study on deploying US-designed small modular reactors (SMRs) in the country. The study is set to begin this year and is anticipated to be completed within 12 to 18 months, as stated by Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio after the signing. Meralco chairman and CEO Manuel Pangilinan mentioned that the company is considering deploying 150-megawatt SMRs starting in 2035.
The US government fact sheet highlighted that the finalized work will enable the deployment of advanced US nuclear technologies, strengthening ties between the two countries for years to come. The other two MOUs involve agreements between the Philippine-American Educational Foundation and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as between Philippine-American Educational Foundation-Fulbright Philippines and Aboitiz Power Corporation, to develop specialized vocational and higher education curricula for the civil nuclear industry.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin indicated that investors are expected to formalize their interest once relevant Philippine authorities release the application guidelines. She stated that all agencies aim to be ready to accept applications this year. Ann Ganzer, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation of the US Department of State, acknowledged the Philippines as one of the initial partners in the US Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) Program since 2021. She emphasized that energy cooperation strengthens the US-Philippine alliance and reaffirmed the US government's commitment to supporting the Philippines in adopting nuclear energy.
Ganzer concluded by stating that the United States is fully dedicated to assisting the Philippines through a comprehensive whole-of-government approach, aiming to achieve lasting energy security and supporting the Philippines' ambitious energy goals.
