South Korea eyes revival of mothballed Bataan nuke plant
CHEAPER BUT RISKIER | There have been proposals to revive the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant as the country searches for alternative sources of energy. (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippine — South Korea’s new top diplomat in the country on Monday relayed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. his country’s proposal to revive the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), the $2.3-billion white elephant built during the regime of his late father and namesake, Ferdinand Marcos.
After submitting his credentials to the president in Malacanang, South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa assured Marcos of Seoul’s willingness to help Manila in addressing its energy requirements.
The ambassador did not provide other details, but said his country is “keenly interested in [BNPP] energy generation.”
“We presented [and] submitted our proposal for joint feasibility study,” Lee told Marcos.
Built during the martial law period in the 1970s, the corruption-plagued BNPP never went into operation due to safety concerns and various irregularities.
Early this year, Marcos said the government might not have to bankroll big power generators such as the BNPP since his administration was planning to build large energy storage facilities to bring down power rates in the country.
Lee also said that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol might visit the Philippines soon in time for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“He really, really looks forward to visiting [the] … Philippines. But if not this year, I’m sure sometime in the first half of next year as we mark our 75th anniversary,” Lee said.
