Amid concerns, Cusi backs plan to revive nuclear

MANILA, Philippines — Despite growing opposition, the push for nuclear energy’s inclusion in the energy mix will help ensure the country’s energy security and address possible future power emergencies, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

“It is something that’s not necessary now but we need this for energy security. Nuclear will not replace any technology in the energy mix, it is just (something we need to) have when certain extreme emergencies happen,” Cusi said.

With at least two years remaining in the Duterte administration, the Department of Energy (DOE) will continue to push for the development of several technologies, including nuclear, to meet the country’s power demands.

“It’s not that I will devote (the last two years of my term for nuclear). I will devote it to what is needed to improve the power infrastructure so we can serve the Filipino better. We are looking at the 2024, 2030 requirements. We need to build up those requirements,” Cusi said.

During last Monday’s Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, Cusi proposed to include nuclear power in the Philippines’ energy mix to meet growing electricity demand.

This as Cusi submitted in 2018 a proposed national policy on nuclear energy to President Duterte for approval.

The proposed national position not only covers the use of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) but also the development of modular nuclear power plants across the country.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte would study the energy chief’s proposal.

“We already submitted the national position and once that’s approved, we can proceed to lay down the regulatory and legal framework,” Cusi said.

However, the DOE will also lay down the groundwork that will pave the way for nuclear power development while waiting for the President’s clearance.

“We are continuously working on the 19 infrastructure issues to meet those requirements. That’s why we formed Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO),” Cusi said.

The Philippines–through NEPIO–has been working on completing the country’s nuclear assessment based on the 19 issues laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The list includes forming a national position, a wide stakeholder participation, laying down the policy of legal frameworkm consultation of all related industries to nuclear, creating a regulatory framework, compliance with safety requirement, ensuring security, proper waste disposal, radiation protection, emergency planning, environmental protection and  financing, source of fuel, grid capability, procurement and management of the plant.

However, energy think-tank Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development (CEED) urged President Duterte to reject the proposal for the issuance of an executive order (EO) for the inclusion of nuclear energy in the country’s energy mix.

CEED said nuclear energy would only be an obstruction to the development of truly reliable and safe electricity from renewables and would unnecessarily expose Filipinos to extreme risks.

“We are all aware of the nuclear disasters of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima. We need not grant nuclear energy the opportunity to wreak the same havoc upon Filipinos, especially in this worsening climate change situation,” CEED executive director Gerry Arances said.

 Arances also expressed concern over the financial burden nuclear energy will impose on consumers.

“It would also expose consumers to more costly electricity, because fuel used to generate nuclear power would have to be imported. Entertaining the exploration of nuclear technology is nothing but a distraction that would keep us from tapping the 250 GW of electricity that the Department of Energy itself said can be gleaned from renewable energy,” he said.

 Bishop Gerry Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos, a vocal advocate of renewable energy, also expressed his opposition to the said proposal.

“I am greatly concerned about the proposed Executive Order said to be drafted by Secretary Al Cusi which would include nuclear power in our energy mix. Instead of empowering our people, energy from nuclear activities threatens human life and the lives of creatures big and small,” he said.

Alminaza reminded the President of his directive just last year that was warmly welcomed by groups promoting clean energy.

“We hope and pray that President Rodrigo Duterte will not turn back on his word in the 2019 SONA which charged the DOE with the task of promoting renewable energy, a cheaper and safer source of energy compared to the possible holocaust risked with nuclear power,” he said.

“We urge President Duterte not to sign this EO and instead reinforce his directive to Secretary Cusi to make renewables our primary energy source. The issuance of an Executive Order to fast-track renewable energy development would be much more welcome,” Arances added.