Philippines seeks to have nuclear plants in operation by 2032

MANILA – The Philippines aims to have its first nuclear power plant by 2032, joining Asian counterparts in turning to the emissions-free power source for the country’s booming electricity needs.

The government will prioritise legislation focused on nuclear safety, and ensure that legal and regulatory frameworks are in place to safeguard public health, environmental protection and national security, the country’s Department of Energy said in a release on Sept 25.

It will also work to establish an independent nuclear regulatory authority to oversee the development of the programme.

The Philippines will seek to have at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of commercially operational nuclear capacity by 2032, rising to 4,800MW by 2050, said Undersecretary of Energy Sharon Garin. This compares with the nation’s total energy capacity of about 28,400MW at the end of 2022, according to BloombergNEF data.  

Nuclear power is being considered

across emerging markets

for round-the-clock generation to meet rapidly rising power demand and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Vietnam and Indonesia are also considering its adoption, while the US is also looking to restart shuttered facilities. 

Having a reactor operating by 2032 is still an ambitious goal for the Philippines.

Five reactors were connected to the grid for the first time in 2023 globally, and the mean construction time was a little under 10 years, according to the World Nuclear Association.

It will not be the Philippines’ first crack at nuclear energy – the archipelago’s options include

reviving a plant on its western coast

that has sat idle for nearly four decades, costing billions of dollars and never producing a watt of electricity. BLOOMBERG