President Duterte approves use of nuclear power in PH

President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order that would allow the government to establish a nuclear energy program aimed at supporting the country's power demands.

Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (Photo from Philstar)

Duterte allows govt to tap nuclear energy

Executive Order (EO) No. 164 was signed on February 28 but was only released to the media on Thursday, March 3.

The order provides a go signal for the government to tap nuclear power as a "viable alternative" energy source.

The EO stressed the need to bolster the energy sector to hit the Philippines' growth targets, stressing the industry must deliver reliable, secure, sustainable, quality, and affordable electricity supply.

This, as the EO acknowledged the expected decline of coal-fired power plants amid calls to shift to renewable energy sources.

The State envisions nuclear power as a viable component to bridge the gap between rising energy demands and supply, taking into account learnings from the past, national, social and economic development pathways, as well as international legal and regulatory frameworks, and best practices, the EO read.

The EO also added that a nuclear energy program can help drive economic growth and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

According to the order, the State must ensure the "peaceful use" of nuclear technology.

The EO also mandated the Nuclear Energy Program-Inter-Agency Committee to conduct further studies, and craft recommendations on the use and viability of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant as well as the establishment of other facilities.

Source: Inquirer