Meralco proceeds on nuclear option

MANILA, Philippines — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) will proceed on conducting a formal feasibility study for its development of micro modular reactors, a nuclear power system, following the completion of its pre-feasibility study.

Meralco chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho said they are “progressing already” with the study, which is slated for completion in about six months.

“On the formal feasibility study, we will need to deep dive more on the financial safety and other very important parameters as well as on the site-specific study like where do we install these micro modular reactors,” Aperocho said.

He added that Meralco is working with policymakers, especially the Department of Energy (DOE).

“We’re very transparent about the studies that we’re doing and they’re (DOE) part of the next steps, especially on the site selection,” Aperocho said.

Meralco chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said the pre-feasibility studies resulted in five locations being nominated for the development of micro modular reactors.

Pangilinan said the locations are subject to geological studies to ensure it is a safe place to build the reactor, which is likely to be complete by 2028.

“Our goal is to be able to start an operational plant perhaps in one of the island provinces to produce power and demonstrate that it’s a safe mode of producing power,” Pangilinan said.

According to Pangilinan, US-based manufacturer Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC) and other foreign contractors will be helping the company build the plant.

Meralco and USNC signed a cooperative agreement last November to study the deployment of one or more micro modular reactor systems in the Philippines.

“It is important that we start today with a fairly modest proof-of-concept plan and they’re prepared to do that, whatever the size might be - five, 10 megawatts - and located in a safe place,” Pangilinan said.