DOE names potential sites for nuclear power plants

The Department of Energy (DOE) identified Thursday several areas across the country that could possibly host a nuclear power project soon. 

At the hearing of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, DOE Director IV Patrick Aquino said the DOE, as chair of the Nuclear Energy Program-Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), listed the potential sites based on physical inspections and evaluations that were undertaken.

“Offhand, I can confirm that several locations in Bataan, including the existing facility where the BNPP (Bataan Nuclear Power Plant) is situated, remain suitable for a nuclear power plant site,” Aquino said. 

“As well as the sites in Labrador, Pangasinan…and there are other sites located in Camarines Norte. There are sites also in Palawan, Puerto Princesa, in particular, as well as Masbate,” he added. 

The DOE previously said the Philippines is eyeing to have commercially operational nuclear power plants by 2032, with at least 1,200 megawatts initially entering the country's power mix. This is then targeted to gradually increase to 4,800 megawatts by 2050. 

According to Aquino, several power generation companies have already expressed interest in embarking on nuclear power projects, but none of them have actually made applications. 

“They are also waiting for some developments in relation to PhilATOM, this particular bill, as well as the results of some studies that have been conducted to move ahead with their plans. But they have expressed, through Secretary [Sharon] Garin, that they’re very much interested. They are seeing nuclear for power generation as a low carbon option that will support our push for greater renewable energy,” he explained.

The Senate Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Senator Bam Aquino, has been tackling Senate Bill No.1206 or the proposed Philippine Nuclear Liability Act. 

Dr. Carlo Arcilla, director of the Department of Science and Technology in the Philippines - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI), said that the fastest way for the county to go nuclear is to restart the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

He, however, pointed out that the project has been politicized, that's why it is not operating.

Factors in building a power plant

Arcilla also listed several factors that need to be considered before building a nuclear power plant in a certain area. 

“You cannot build a nuclear plant close on active volcano, which means hindi ka talaga pwedeng magpagawa ng nuclear plant sa Batangas because of Taal. Doon din sa Albay because of Mayon. So ‘yun palang, hindi ka makakapag-first base,” he said.

(You cannot build a nuclear plant close to an active volcano, which means you cannot build a nuclear plant in Batangas because of Taal, and in Albay because of Mayon. So from there, you can’t start at first base already.) 

“Second, you cannot be on top of an active fault. Ibig sabihin, kung nasa tabi ka ng active fault, pwede ka pang mag-engineer, pero kung nandoon ka mismo sa trace ng fault, hindi pwede,” he continued.

(Second, you cannot be on top of an active fault. That means, if you are next to an active fault, you can still engineer, but if you are right there on the trace of the fault, you cannot.) 

The DOST-PNRI executive also said that nuclear power plants cannot be built in places that are prone to flooding.

Arcilla also said the local populace has to agree with the potential building of a nuclear plant in their area. He noted that the basic requirement for a nuclear plant is acquiring an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), which requires public consultation. 

In September 2025, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed into law the creation of an independent agency that will look into safe use of nuclear energy and radiation sources in the country. 

Republic Act 12305, or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, provides for the establishment of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), a quasi-judicial body that will oversee nuclear energy regulation. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News