DOE gears up for Philippines first nuclear auction

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing the regulatory framework for the inaugural nuclear auction, advancing efforts to bring the country’s first commercial nuclear power plant online by 2032.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the circular, currently being drafted, seeks to provide investors with greater certainty on cost recovery while also outlining the benefits of pioneering nuclear plants for host communities.

“They (investors) will be assured of a rate of return, similar to a GEA (green energy auction) project,” Garin said in an interview.

If the GEA model is adopted, winning bidders in the nuclear auction would receive a fixed rate for electricity generated over a specified period, ensuring revenue certainty for investors.

Garin, however, stressed that nothing has been finalized, as the circular remains in its early drafting stage.

“We still have to determine the site, what technology will be used and similar details. It’s still at a fairly early stage,” the energy chief said, adding that the circular could be issued later this year or in early 2027.

Under the existing nuclear roadmap, the Philippines aims to have at least 1,200 megawatts of commercially operational power plants by 2032 and to scale the capacity up to 4,800 MW by 2040.

The government has been putting in place policies to attract investments in nuclear energy while also addressing safety considerations surrounding the technology.

In a landmark move, the DOE earlier issued a circular allowing the country’s pioneer nuclear plant to bypass the usual competitive selection process.

This means nuclear power producers will no longer be required to join competitive bidding to secure supply deals with distribution utilities, ensuring a ready market for their capacity.

The Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act was also signed into law in September 2025, establishing the legal and institutional groundwork for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear power.

The law creates the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom), which is set to take over regulatory functions currently handled by the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.

However, uncertainty over the policy direction lingers, as the implementing rules and regulations have yet to be issued despite the 180-day deadline set under the PhilAtom law.

Aside from new nuclear facilities, the Philippines is also exploring the potential rehabilitation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was completed in 1984 but was never activated due to safety concerns and political issues.

The International Energy Agency has identified the Philippines as one of three Southeast Asian countries with advanced nuclear plans, alongside Indonesia and Vietnam.

The intergovernmental organization said interest in nuclear energy is growing across the region, as countries look to meet rising electricity demand and diversify their power mixes.

“Nuclear power remains a longer-term diversification option in Southeast Asia, but its role will depend on accelerating deployment and overcoming long lead times,” it said in its 2026 Southeast Asia Energy Outlook.