Nuclear Energy in the Philippines Enters a New Stage: President Marcos Signs the Nuclear Safety Act Establishing a Regulatory Framework, DOE to Accept Project Applications Starting 2026 with a Goal of 1,200 MW by 2032. Nuclear Development Has Shifted from “Policy Declarations” to “Legal Foundation + Project Kickoff.”
01｜Two Key Milestones in Nuclear Development
The Philippines is approaching a turning point in nuclear energy, marked by two decisive developments:
Event 1: President Signs the Philippine Nuclear Safety Act (RA 12305)
The new law establishes an independent regulatory body, PhilATOM, with quasi-judicial authority to oversee licensing, radiation protection, waste management, emergency response, and international compliance.
It sets strict legal red lines: any unauthorized site selection, construction, operation, or handling of radioactive materials (including import/export and disposal) could result in fines up to ₱100 million and imprisonment.
This is the first time the Philippines has created a complete legal and regulatory framework for nuclear energy, providing assurance for financing, technology transfer, and international cooperation.
Event 2: DOE Announces 2026 Start for Nuclear Project Applications
The Department of Energy (DOE) will begin accepting project applications in 2026, aiming to add 1,200 MW by 2032, expand to 2,400 MW by 2045, and double capacity to 4,800 MW by 2050.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin emphasized that while deployment depends on the maturity of small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, the government’s immediate priority is to complete the legal and regulatory groundwork by 2026 so projects can move into execution.
To this end, DOE has launched the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) to coordinate rulemaking and permitting, stressing environmental compliance, public trust, and scientific integrity.
Meanwhile, the long-idled Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is undergoing reassessment, with feasibility studies led by KHNP, KEPCO KPS, and Doosan, expected to conclude by February 2026.
Together, these actions mark the Philippines’ shift from policy slogans to legal foundation + application intake—the start of real execution.
02｜The Roadmap of Philippine Nuclear Development
Nuclear power is not a new topic for the Philippines but a long-standing and cyclical debate.
1. The BNPP Legacy
Following the 1970s oil crisis, the Philippines invested nearly USD 2 billion to build BNPP. But after Chernobyl and political changes, the plant never operated, remaining mothballed for decades. BNPP symbolizes both the promise and controversy of nuclear power—highlighting that nuclear is as much political and social as it is technical.
2. Long-Term Energy Pressures
Electricity supply remains tight, with per capita use below 1,000 kWh, far lower than Asia’s average. As of 2019, over half of power generation came from coal, while gas relied heavily on the depleting Malampaya field. Frequent blackouts and high power costs have kept nuclear energy on the policy agenda. DOE projects that by 2040, peak demand will more than triple, underscoring the looming gap.
3. International Studies and Partnerships
In 2008, IAEA assessed BNPP could run 30 years after rehabilitation (USD 800M–1B cost).
KHNP studied BNPP and proposed SMR deployment in Cagayan.
From 2017, the Philippines signed MOUs with Rosatom for SMR, including floating reactors.
In 2018, IAEA completed an infrastructure review, urging stronger regulation and public outreach.
4. Latest Corporate Moves
Recently, Meralco, the largest utility, signed a 2-year cooperation with EDF of France covering site studies, grid integration, economic evaluation, and training. This signals a shift from policy rhetoric to private-sector action.
In summary: The trajectory of Philippine nuclear energy runs from BNPP sunk costs → persistent energy stress → rounds of international feasibility studies → now a new stage of legal foundation and project acceptance.
03｜Opportunities and Risks for Chinese Enterprises
Nuclear is a high-barrier industry, but there are entry points in supporting roles and long-term services.
Opportunities:
Early Stage: Compliance services such as ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate), feasibility studies, and grid impact assessments — where local regulatory expertise is vital.
Construction Stage: While reactor island competition is closed, opportunities exist in conventional island and auxiliary works: civil construction, transmission lines, cooling systems, security and monitoring — areas where Chinese firms already have strengths in the Philippines.
Long Term: Nuclear plants create decades-long demand for O&M, spare parts, localized manufacturing, and training services — steady opportunities for firms with supply chain advantages.
Risks:
Technology uncertainty: SMR commercialization timelines remain unclear.
Political continuity: Projects will span multiple administrations; sustained policy support is uncertain.
Public acceptance: Hearings and community buy-in could be major hurdles.
High compliance costs: RA 12305 imposes heavy penalties; violations pose severe financial and legal risks.
The Philippines is at the pivot of “legal foundation + project intake.” For Chinese enterprises, the practical strategy is not to target reactors directly, but to focus on compliance, auxiliary works, and long-term services — carving a place in the country’s energy transition over the next decade.
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