ENERGY officials hope to generate 2,400 megawatts of power using small modular reactors (SMRs) by 2032.
SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of a conventional nuclear power reactor and physically a fraction of its size.
Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan said SMRs offer several advantages, including enhanced safety features, scalability and efficient waste management. The Department of Energy (DoE), he said, aims to strike a balance between meeting energy demands and minimizing the environmental impact.
Marasigan said that while the country's energy reserves are robust, unforeseen circumstances occasionally necessitate temporary shutdowns. These emergencies include severe weather events such as typhoons, which can disrupt power generation facilities and transmission lines. He adds that nuclear power could provide a stable and reliable energy source, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to the nation's energy security.
At present, Meralco and the Aboitiz Group are at the forefront of the private sector's efforts to investigate nuclear energy as a viable power source. These corporations have forged partnerships with US-based firms to introduce this technology within the Philippines.
Executive Order 164, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February 2022, paved the way for a comprehensive national stance on the development of nuclear energy and its inclusion in the Philippines' energy mix. The EO reflects the government's deliberate efforts to foster a safe, secure and peaceful nuclear energy program, emphasizing rigorous safety protocols, robust security measures, and responsible use of the alternative energy source.
The Philippines' first and only attempt at building a nuclear power plant began in 1973 when then-president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. announced the decision to build the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in Morong, Bataan in response to the 1973 oil crisis when the Middle East oil embargo put a heavy strain on the Philippine economy. Marcos believed then that nuclear power was the solution to meeting the country's energy demand by decreasing dependence on oil importation. However, BNPP never became operational, as it was deactivated by his successor, President Corazon Aquino, due to safety concerns following the Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine in 1986. A safety investigation uncovered multiple defects in the plant, including the fact that it was built near a major geological fault line close to Mount Pinatubo.
Even with the new technology, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) expressed concerns regarding the use of nuclear power in the Philippines. Nuclear power, they said, is inconsistent with the goals of DoE to modernize the country's power sector, which emphasizes flexible and distributed generation. They argue that nuclear power, being a baseload power source, is not compatible with the country's variable load profile and could lead to more outages. The ICSC also highlighted the importance of exploring renewable energy sources like wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and hydropower, which offer a complimentary mix of generation profiles well-suited to the country's energy demand.
Moreover, nuclear power is not considered a renewable energy source as it relies on finite resources like uranium, which are not replenished on a human timescale. However, nuclear energy is often classified as a low-carbon or clean energy source as it does not produce greenhouse gases during operation as compared to fossil fuel energy sources such as oil, coal and natural gas. While this type of energy source has advantages such as low emissions and efficient land use, it also presents challenges like radioactive waste management.
"But there remain other options; we are looking at reengineering and refurbishment of our coal and geothermal power facilities that include other fuels such as hydrogen and also ammonia. We are still exercising technology neutrality, which means that anything that is available commercially in the market, if it could provide us with a reliable source of electricity, then, of course, we will adopt it," Marasigan said.
Moreover, the expected depletion of the Malampaya gas field by 2024 is a significant concern for the Philippines' energy security, as it supplies 30 percent of Luzon's energy consumption. This has prompted the search for alternative energy sources. While nuclear power is one of the options being considered, DoE's plan includes a substantial expansion of renewable energy capacity, which could also play a vital role in addressing the energy gap left by Malampaya.
In a previous interview, Marasigan said the Philippines also draws its power from renewable energy sources such as geothermal energy, hydropower energy, wind energy, solar energy as well as biomass energy sources — aside from the conventional coal power plants and liquid fuel plants.
Currently, the Philippines' renewable energy sources represent 29 percent in terms of capacity and generate 22 percent of the country's total power supply.
In light of persistent concerns regarding the risks associated with nuclear energy, Marasigan said the agency will adhere to the safety and security guidelines set forth by the International Atomic Energy Agency when establishing nuclear power plants. Additionally, the Office of Nuclear Energy under the DoE will take on the responsibility of enhancing the Philippines' capabilities to meet the requirements for nuclear power plants, including fuel storage and disposal.
Read The Rest at :
