Bongbong Marcos eyes nuclear energy to avert possible PH power crisis

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is looking at the possibility of tapping nuclear energy to prevent a potential power crisis in the country and meet the electricity requirement of Filipinos.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Friday, Marcos has said that he had been considering nuclear energy – even before he took office as president – as an option to address power woes in the country.

“Even before I took office, pinag-uusapan na namin tingnan ‘yan. It turns out there are many nuclear technologies, iba-iba. Ang dami naming natutunan in our last visit to Washington and then – even ‘yung nasa EU (European Union) kami, marami palang iba-iba,” the President said.

(Even before I took office, we are already talking about it. It turns out there are many nuclear technologies. We learned so much during our last visit to Washington and even when we were in the EU.)

In his recent official visit to the United States, Marcos said he is looking at a “cutting-edge” micro nuclear fuel technology as part of the administration’s efforts to solve the country’s power crisis.

READ: Marcos eyes micro nuclear fuel technology to solve PH power crisis

While in Washington, Marcos met with officials of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC), a US-based firm global leader and vertical integrator of nuclear technologies and services.

USNC officials expressed interest in bringing clean and reliable nuclear energy to the Philippines, describing the move as “probably a very important way for us to enter the market.”

READ: PH needs law on nuclear power to ensure safety – IAEA

“So, pinag-aaralan natin mabuti. When it comes to power, we’re open to everything. Kahit na ano na pwede nating makuha para pag-addition sa power supply natin. Syempre nandyan pa rin, lagi nating iniisip ‘yung kailangan parami na ‘yung renewables, pabawas na ‘yung fossil fuels,” Marcos said.

(So we’re carefully studying it. When it comes to power, we’re open to everything. Anything we can get to add to our power supply. Of course, we always think that we need more renewables, less fossil fuels.)

“So, what else can we do? Find new sources. That’s what we’re trying to do. The situation with renewables is also improving but we may have found some other technologies na hindi mag-antay ng (that don’t have to wait for a) lead time ng (of) six, seven years,” he added.

USNC officials said they are considering the Philippines for its first nuclear energy facility in Southeast Asia and vowed to help address the series of blackouts that hit several areas of the country.

READ: Another US nuclear plant builder keen on PH

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