Meralco explores commercial use of nuclear energy

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has entered into a cooperative agreement with US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) to study the potential deployment of at least one micro-modular reactor energy system in the Philippines.

The signing of the deal was held on the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in California and was witnessed by President Marcos.

Work under the cooperative agreement, which builds on the partnership between the two companies announced last August, will examine environmental and social impact, technical and siting requirements, and commercial viability, among other topics.

“USNC is changing the nuclear safety and energy security conversations in the Philippines with these micro-modular reactors. This agreement moves us forward with a partner who understands these important issues alongside the essential nature of the cost and reliability of the electricity supply,” Meralco chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“This also signifies the commitment of Meralco to explore and utilize diverse energy sources for the benefit of Filipinos,” he said.

Pangilinan believes nuclear technology will help meet the country’s growing demand for energy, achieve energy independence and transition toward a sustainable energy future.

Under the cooperative agreement, USNC will conduct a pre-feasibility study that will run for four months.

This will help Meralco, the country’s largest electric distribution utility, familiarize with micro-modular reactor or MMR systems and how these can be effectively utilized in the Philippines.

The micro-modular reactor energy system is a fourth-generation nuclear energy system that delivers safe, clean and cost-effective electricity to users anywhere. It is the first “fission battery” in commercialization, with demonstration units scheduled for first nuclear power in 2026.

Meralco has the option to conduct a more detailed feasibility study, with focus on the adoption and deployment of micro-modular reactor energy systems depending on the results of the pre-feasibility study.

The study is seen to help Meralco in critical decisions and potential future activities on project-specific studies and project development plans at identified sites.

The study will assess financial, technical, safety and siting, among other considerations.

“Meralco is demonstrating real leadership in advancing the energy security and sustainability roadmap for the Philippines,” USNC founder and CEO Francesco Venneri said.

“Our MMR nuclear batteries can play a major role in delivering those benefits. The plans that will quickly follow this study place Meralco well on the way toward creating a reliable, low-carbon, equitable and secure future for Filipinos,” Venneri said.

USNC, a global leader in the deployment of fourth-generation gas-cooled micro-modular reactor energy systems, is working with partners in the US and around the world to develop secure and reliable carbon-free heat and power solutions where they are needed.

It has developed and patented its fully ceramic micro-encapsulated fuel used in the micro-modular reactor to provide the safest possible nuclear power system at the most fundamental level.

Meralco, for its part, is leading the push for the integration of nuclear power in the country’s energy portfolio.

Meralco’s nuclear initiative is part of the company’s long-term sustainability strategy through which the power company will play out its just, orderly and affordable energy transition to clean energy across three horizons.

The company plans to accelerate its shift to green power as it assesses and adopts next-generation clean technologies such as micro-modular reactor energy systems.

It recently launched the Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering or FISSION program in a bid to develop the country’s technical and regulatory talent pipeline through education and training in the highly specialized field of nuclear engineering.

Part of FISSION’s objectives is to address identified gaps that could impede the government’s transformative initiatives, such as the absence of expert safety regulators and technical professionals capable of operating nuclear technologies, specifically the small modular reactors and micro-modular reactors.

Nuclear energy has been included in the country’s power mix under the clean energy scenario of the draft Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2023 to 2050.

Under the draft PEP 2023 to 2050, which will serve as the blueprint that will chart the country’s energy landscape in the next three decades, a clean energy scenario considers the entry of nuclear energy, in which 1,200 megawatts (MW) of capacity is eyed by 2032, 2,400 MW by 2035, and 4,800 MW by 2050.