THE Department of Finance (DOF) said the government is studying the idea of reviving the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in a bid to help bring down power rates in the country.
The revelation comes days after Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, appearing at the Plaridel forum, said the nuclear option is high on the list of energy policy-makers, though he stressed they were not necessarily eyeing the BNPP but will more likely pitch for building a new power plant in the country.
Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III told financial reporters that it is looking at a government asset, which is the BNPP, to be used to help lower electricity rates in the country.
“With regards to the cost of electricity, [Energy Secretary] Cusi just mentioned that we should really seriously consider running the nuclear plant and I think that it will bring down the cost. So it’s probably that asset that we will use to lower the cost of electricity,” Dominguez said.
Last week Cusi revealed that the government is seriously considering the possibility of allowing the construction of nuclear power plants in the country. He said the apprehensions about the security of nuclear power plants have already been raised in the past, and stressed that it is time for the Philippines to learn from its neighbors.
In 1976 then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. ordered the building of a $2.3-billion nuclear power plant in Morong, Bataan, as the then-dictator’s bid to diversify the Philippines’s energy source. The BNPP was completed in 1984, but failed to produce a single watt of electricity due to strong public opposition.
Dominguez added that before reviving the nuclear power plant, safety measures must be in place first and foremost.
“You know we have to have all the safety measures done but I think it’s something that we should really consider, the revival of the Bataan [nuclear power plant]. If we want to bring down power rates it might be a good investment, it’s already there 600 megawatts,” Dominguez added.
The finance chief further stressed that he is encouraging the Department of Energy to really look into and study the matter for the nuclear plant revival.
“I want to encourage Mr. Cusi to really study it well, and we will support him as much as we can if it’s safe and if it makes economic sense,” he added.
Other energy infra projects
APART from reviving the BNPP, the government is also looking to rehabilitate the Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plants Project to also aid in lowering electricity costs in the country.
“We are also investing quite a bit of money, probably close to half a billion US dollars, in refurbishing the Maria Christina Agus System. Currently, [it] is running at only 40 percent capacity; we will probably bring that up to something like 88.5 percent capacity. That should help lower the cost of electricity,” he said.
In August the Philippine government discussed with Chinese officials its proposed “second basket” of infrastructure projects for possible financing during the visit of a Philippine delegation to Beijing during the month.
According to the DOF, the second basket of infrastructure projects discussed includes: the Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River Flood Control Projects; the Pasig-Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges Construction Project; Subic-Clark Railway Project, Safe Philippines Project Phase I; and the Rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plants Project.
The “first basket” of infrastructure projects proposed for Chinese loan financing includes: the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project; New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project; the Philippine National Railways’ South Long Haul Project; and the Davao-Samal Bridge Construction Project along with the Binondo-Intramuros and Estrella-Pantaleon bridges that are being funded with grants from China.