Nuclear power still an option for DOE

CEBU, Philippines - A nuclear power plant in the country remains an option for the Department of Energy, said Undersecretary Loreta Ayson yesterday.

“Our problem in the Philippines is the social acceptability, but DOE is not really scrapping it.  It is always part of our long term option,” she said in a press briefing.

She said studies, evaluation and information campaign are being undertaken on the matter.

“We cannot really say when is the date or year that we will have nuclear power plant but still an option in the Philippines. If all other fuels are not there, maybe we should utilize nuclear,” Ayson said.

Earlier, former DOE secretary Jericho Petilla said having a nuclear power plant in the country is something that should be decided on by the people themselves. He also said that should it materialize, it should be adopted through legislation.

A facility exists, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, but it remains not operational. It was built in 1976 on a 357-hectare government reservation at Napot Point, Morong, Bataan.

Ayson said, however, underground powerlines are a better option against strong winds and typhoons.

“It is also a good option to really go underground power lines para hindi maapektuhan ng malakas na hangin o bagyo. But this is a very expensive technology but something to look into and I am not even sure if government will subsidized it,” she said.

Fuel-mix policy

The DOE is also eyeing at a balanced fuel mix to diversify the power generation sector in a long-term.

Ayson said the agency has already come up with a fuel mix policy for the next 15 years and so on.

“Our fuel mix policy for power generation should be balanced. We want fuel diversification not only coal but also natural gas,” Ayson said yesterday ahead of the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Energy Ministers’ Meeting today in Mactan, Cebu.

The proposed fuel mix policy, Ayson said, would include renewable energy (RE) sources and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The energy official said the DoE is pushing for a 1/3 rule – 30 percent coal, 30 percent natural gas, and 30 percent renewable energy in the country’s power mix. Other sources should account for the remaining share.

According to Ayson, this rule would allow the Philippines to wean off its dependence on coal power sources, which contribute to pollution significantly.

In its recent study, US energy think tank IHS noted that a balanced fuel mix is especially vital for the Philippines to support its continued economic growth and lessen environmental impact.

The IHS study also suggested that the country must implement policy interventions to come up with a balanced fuel mix.

The study entitled “Sustainable Energy Transition” further suggested that the Philippines adopt clear priorities to ensure a sustainable energy mix.

Under its National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), the DOE is aiming to increase the share of renewable energy to the power mix to 30 percent.

Presently, coal provides 43 percent of the country’s electricity needs. Renewable power sources account for about 26 percent while natural gas and oil make up 25 percent and six percent, respectively.

As of August 2015, the energy department has awarded a total of 682 RE service contracts to generate a potential capacity of 13,600 megawatts. — /JMO (FREEMAN)