Meralco identifies 3 potential sites for micro-modular plant

MANILA, Philippines —  Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has identified three potential sites for its planned proof-of-concept modular nuclear plant in the country.

Meralco Executive Vice President and COO Ronnie Aperocho said the three possible sites are in Talim Island in Rizal, San Rafael in Bulacan, and Isla del Provisor located right across Malacañang Palace.

“We have already started the pre-feasibility study, except the critical part of this facility is the location, the siting,” Aperocho said.

“Actually, those sites that were considered by the Department of Energy before, unfortunately, most if not all of them are outside the Meralco franchise. So, because this is a Meralco undertaking, we wanted it to be within our franchise,” he said.

Meralco signed last month a cooperative agreement with US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) to study the potential deployment of at least one micro-modular reactor energy system in the Philippines.

USNC is a Seattle-headquartered company involved in micro-modular reactors.

The pre-feasibility study will help Meralco, the country’s largest electric distribution utility, familiarize with micro-modular reactor systems and how these can be effectively utilized in the Philippines.

Meralco has the option to conduct a more detailed feasibility study with focus on the adoption and deployment of micro-modular reactor energy systems depending on the results of the pre-feasibility study.

“So, we’re considering at least three sites, but we just have to harmonize this with Undersecretary Sharon Garin of DOE,” Aperocho said.

“In terms of capacity, small modular reactors are different since they are at 300 megawatts (MW). In case of micro-modular, it ranges from five MW up to 30 MW maximum. If you need a higher capacity, since its modular, then all you have to is to put up more units,” he said.

The micro-modular reactor energy system is a fourth-generation nuclear energy system that delivers safe, clean, and cost-effective electricity to users anywhere.

Meralco believes nuclear technology will help meet the country’s growing demand for energy, achieve energy independence and transition toward a sustainable energy future.

The nuclear initiative is part of the company’s long-term sustainability strategy through which the power company will play out its just, orderly, and affordable energy transition to clean energy across three horizons.