NEWS

Representative Mark Cojuangco warned that a possible sale of the Philippine Nuclear Power Plant (PNPP) in Bataan could delay its recommissioning, urging the government to set a concrete plan for the mothballed facility.

Cojuangco and nuclear advocacy group Alpas Pinas raised their concerns last October 30. The matters were raised after the Department of Energy had expressed openness to selling the plant to a private company following promising findings from a South Korean feasibility study on its potential revival.

“We are concerned that this proposed direction could further delay action on the country’s growing energy needs. Habang tumatagal, lalo tayong mapag-iiwanan,” Cojuangco, chairman of the Special Committee on Nuclear Energy, said in the release.

“We call for a concrete plan from the government, so we can work toward the recommissioning of PNPP and secure nuclear power to strengthen the national grid,” he added.

Cojuangco also expressed concern that a change in ownership could affect decisions on the facility’s role in long-term energy planning. 

Alpas Pinas Lead Convenor Gayle Certeza cited recurring power shortages and high electricity costs in calling for greater attention to diversifying the country’s energy mix.

“Other countries have increasingly turned to nuclear energy, just like Bangladesh moving forward with its first nuclear power generation through Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. This signals that the Philippines must take serious action on the PNPP and not get left behind,” Certeza said.

The advocates called for a clear government direction on the facility, presenting nuclear power as a pivotal contributor to a more secure and diversified energy supply. 

Source: Power Philippines