Philippines Civil Nuclear Energy Opportunities

While there is growing utilization of renewable energy sources in the Philippines, they are intermittent and raise the need for more steady and reliable sources in the energy mix, such as nuclear energy, specifically small modular reactors (SMRs). The idea of pursuing nuclear energy for power generation is not new for the Philippines. There is an existing 623-megawatt (MW) Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) built in 1984 that was mothballed in 1986 due to post-Chernobyl political and safety issues that emerged during the change of government administration. SMRs are defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency as newer generation reactors designed to generate electric power typically up to 300 MW with components and systems. The Philippine power industry, which is privatized and owned by the largest conglomerates, have anticipated that the Philippines will need to consider developing a long-term supply chain that can support SMR technology (light water reactors) in the near term and advanced SMR technologies (molten salt reactors) in the more distant timeline.  

The Philippine Government has signed Executive Order 116 of 2020 which opens the adoption of a national position on a nuclear energy program and constituting a Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee.  President Bongbong Marcos in his 2022 State of the Nation Address announced that the Philippine Energy Plan should include nuclear energy generation. The Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Commission Bill has been filed in the Philippine Congress, legislation that will create an independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  The Philippine Department of Energy has also identified 16 potential sites for nuclear energy development in the country. China, Russia, Argentina, South Korea, Canada, and Pakistan have approached the government to discuss nuclear cooperation.   

In March 2022, the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation with the United States to cooperate on civil applications of nuclear energy, science, and technology.  The private sector is also moving quickly to bring nuclear power technology to the market and can engage in pilot studies. Some of these firms are doing evaluation of nuclear technologies where U.S. companies have the leverage to compete. SMR development would need to fulfill the need for flexible power generation for a wider range of applications, replacing aging coal-power plants, enhance safety performance and offer better economic affordability.  

Opportunities exist for U.S. companies offering complete packages of nuclear energy generation systems (reactor, steam generators, pumps), deep borehole drilling technologies for spent fuel disposal as well as civil nuclear gap analysis services. 

U.S. companies interested in connecting with Philippine power producers and seeking representation and how U.S. Commercial Service Philippines can assist U.S. companies should contact Thess.Sula@trade.gov.