Meralco, South Korea firm eye revival of Bataan nuke plant
Jea Nicole Jacot
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the Philippines’ largest private electric utility, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility Co. Ltd. to explore opportunities and collaborations on developing low-carbon energy projects in the Philippines including nuclear power.
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Photo Courtesy of Ian Fulgar. |
In a statement on Wednesday, Meralco said its partnership with Doosan involves the potential establishment of nuclear power facilities in the country, including the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
They plan to conduct a study on the said rehabilitation, the results of which would be forwarded to the government.
This team-up came recently after the Philippines and South Korea recently sealed a deal to conduct a feasibility study on the revival of the BNPP.
Built during Marcos Sr.’s first term, the 40-year-old non-commissioned power facility was plagued by corruption allegations and safety concerns.
The two companies will also seek to study the use of small modular reactors to help meet the country’s rising power demand and ensure long-term energy security.
“Partnering with reputable and dependable companies like Doosan aligns well with our pursuit to continuously explore innovative energy solutions that we can adopt as we work towards ensuring availability of sufficient, affordable and reliable power to meet our country’s long-term goals,” said Meralco chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan during the ceremonial signing of the MOU.
Scheduled to begin in January 2025, the study initiative aims to assist the Philippines in evaluating the feasibility, safety, and sustainability of different nuclear energy alternatives.
Moreover, the MOU also covers the installation of greenhouse gas reduction equipment, as well as the potential development and supply of gas turbines for combined cycle power projects of Meralco’s subsidiaries.
Doosal will be the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for these projects.
“By working together on transformative projects, this collaboration will contribute to the modernization of the country’s energy infrastructure and help ensure a stable and long-term supply of clean, reliable power,” Doosan Enerbility vice chairman Yeonin Jung reiterated.
He added that the collaborations with Meralco mark a significant milestone in boosting energy innovation and sustainability in the Philippines.