Energy department to continue to push for Bataan nuclear plant reopening

The Department of Energy (DOE) will seek the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) after President Duterte allowed Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi to study the possibility of reopening it, with specific instructions to prioritize the security and safety of the public.

”I’d like the BNPP to really operate. The President has spoken and after he has spoken, I talked to him and made clarification. I asked clearance if I should proceed to work for its implementation and full operation,” Cusi said in his speech at the inauguration of two power plants in Batangas province last Friday.

”We have to put a closure to the BNPP. It could not just be there standing and spending millions of pesos. It is either we use it or we re-use it for some other (purpose),” he said.

The energy chief estimated the rehabilitation of the facility to cost $1 billion and to last from two to four years. If it is revived, it would be under the Philippine National Oil Co (PNOC).

The rehabilitation of the plant would be a government-to-gov­ernment collaboration or a build-operate-transfer agreement with the private sector, he said, adding that the power plant’s capacity could be reduced, depending on the recommendations of consul­tants.

Cusi further said his department is still working on the roadmap for nuclear energy.

The energy department has since last year held public consul­tations on the possible re-opening of the BNPP.

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s only nuclear facility, was fully commissioned in 1984. It was a project of former President Ferdinand Marcos, but had never produced power for the grid.

“The Duterte administration, through the DOE, puts premium on the provision of quality, reliable, adequate, secure and reason­ably-priced energy by looking at all possible resources that the country can utilize to achieve our industrialization goals. To diversify the energy mix, the DoE will study nuclear energy as a possible op­tion for the Philippines,” Cusi said in a statement.

He said they support the President’s agenda to ensure “the safe use of all energy sources, especially with the renewed interest on nuclear energy technology”.

Cusi said that as such, they are preparing to create a nuclear energy program implementing organization (Nepio), to be headed by a steering committee consisting of top DOE officials.

DOE bureaus will also create technical working groups to imple­ment the functions and responsibilities of the Nepio, he added.

Cusi further said that the Nepio will request the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and agencies attached to the DOE.

The Nepio will also tap other relevant government offices and local and international partner organizations.

“During the recent IAEA International Conference on the Pros­pects for Nuclear Power in the Asia-Pacific Region, we pointed out: The country should have a clear position on nuclear power. A well-informed decision is key to a sustainable and comprehensive energy program,” Cusi said.

“With all the new findings, technological advancements and successful experiences of countries around the world, nuclear ener­gy holds much promise for long-term energy plans,” he added.

The DOE also held public consultations for the possible re-opening of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.