According to DOST-PNRI Director Carlo A. Arcilla, nuclear energy can be a much cleaner and cheaper source of energy in the Philippines.
It was mentioned during discussions about the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant on DOSTv ExperTalk Online.
In addition, several experts agreed during the discussion that the nuclear power plant could play an essential role in helping to reduce the rising fuel and electricity prices.
According to Arcilla, 60% of the country’s energy comes from coal imported mainly from Indonesia and 20% from the Malampaya gas field. The 20% of Malampaya’s supply that is reportedly depleting fast can be taken over by nuclear power.
It is possible to complement renewables with nuclear power.
A significant drawback of harvesting solar energy is the amount of land that is required. A hectare of land is needed to produce 1 megawatt of electricity, which seems to be a challenge in an archipelagic country such as the Philippines, where numerous islands exist.
It’s quite delicate to handle nuclear waste, so DOST officials recommend deep borehole to dispose of it.
The official noted that nuclear energy has been part of the country for 60 years and that accidents have had minimal casualties or are usually isolated.
In addition, it is noted that the United States has 94 nuclear power plants, which produce 20% of its electricity.
A survey conducted by the Department of Energy and the Social Weather Station at the beginning of 2019 showed that 79% of Filipinos favored using nuclear power because of the high cost of electricity in the country.
