Duterte creates body to study inclusion of nuclear energy to PHL’s power mix

By Lenie Lectura – July 30, 2020
from Business Mirror

Malacañang signed last week Executive Order (EO) 116, which paves the way for the creation of the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC).

The Department of Energy (DOE) will lead the committee while the Department of Science and Technology is the committee vice chair. The inter-agency body is mandated to primarily conduct a study for the adoption of a national position for a Nuclear Energy Program (NEP).

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said EO 116 was signed by President Duterte last July 24, 2020, stressing that the signing of the EO is a “major step towards the realization of a Philippine nuclear energy program.”

“The Department of Energy welcomes EO 116 as a major step towards the realization of a Philippine nuclear energy program—one which would benefit our people by enhancing our energy supply levels and help shield our consumers from traditional power price volatilities,” said Cusi.

The energy chief said the government will continue to work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other experts to realize the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s existing energy mix in the future.

“I believe that once we have successfully addressed infrastructure gaps as identified by the IAEA, and we have fulfilled all other necessary national requirements, our people and future generations will reap the economic benefits a nuclear energy program brings,” Cusi stated.

Cusi said the President cited the imperative need to revisit the country’s policy on nuclear energy and to determine its feasibility as a long- term option for power generation.

Aside from the DOE and the DOST, the inter-agency body will have the following as members:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs, National Economic and Development Authority, National Power Corp., National Transmission Corp., Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and  Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

EO 116 specifically tasked the NEP-IAC to conduct a prefeasibility study to evaluate and assess the need for and viability of introducing nuclear power into the country’s energy mix; evaluate and formulate a national strategy to include a road map and timeline in the preparation of a NEP; review the existing legal framework, study the viability of nuclear energy, and recommend the necessary steps in the utilization of nuclear energy, as well as existing facilities such as but not limited to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant; create sub-committees to facilitate decision-making on various issues that may arise in the course of study; promulgate guidelines and rules for the effective implementation of EO 116; and perform other functions as the President may direct.

EO 116 requires the NEP-IAC to submit an initial report to the Office of the President within six months, or by January 2021.

Funding for the body’s operational expenses will be charged against the DOE budget, and other funding sources that may be identified by the Department of Budget and Management.