BNPP can still be rehabilitated — Cusi

MANILA, Philippines — Nuclear experts have recommended that the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) can still be rehabilitated, but the Department of Energy (DOE) will wait for the national nuclear policy before deciding whether it should proceed with the rehabilitation program.

The consortium composed of Russian state-owned Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp., Slovenia’s Gen Enerjia and global engineering firm Worley Parsons has submitted a recommendation that BNPP can still be rehabilitated, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“Korea also submitted a study that the plant can be rehabilitated, but of course, aside from that, I’m looking at the community and the people. I have to go and respect that. The bigger battle is the acceptance of the community,” he said.

Cusi will wait for the nuclear policy to come out before deciding on the fate of BNPP, which he said is now being finalized.

 “It would be difficult to decide without the policy. There’s still public consultations and policy on costing,” he said adding that “we are doing the national policy on nuclear to make people aware.”

The Philippines – through the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO) – is working on completing the nuclear assessment based on the 19 issues laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“The policy is for nuclear, not necessarily just BNPP. We are looking at a floating nuclear or a maritime nuclear,” Cusi said.

Cusi visited Russia last year to look at a floating nuclear power plant.

The technology can be brought in the country at a capacity of 60 megawatts (MW) to power up island provinces, he said.

“But the DOE is not a builder of infrastructures but more of policy directions for the country. If we have the nuclear policy, the private sector can bring it in. We are just paving the way to make it happen,” Cusi said.

The 620-MW BNPP was built during the Marcos administration to supply additional power by replacing ageing power plants.

Proposals to operate the country’s only nuclear plant was thumbed down due to strong opposition from environmental and cause-oriented groups over safety concerns. The country further went on undeclared moratorium for nuclear power plants following the Fukushima incident in 2011.