Philippines, US cite importance of nuclear energy

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and the United States have reaffirmed the importance of nuclear energy as a key contributor to energy security.

The two countries last week launched the inaugural US-Philippines Energy Policy Dialogue (EPD) that aims to advance commitments by Washington and Manila to deepen cooperation on energy security, energy access and clean energy transition, as agreed during US Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to the Philippines in November last year.

Department of State Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources Laura Lochman and Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia and the Americas Beth Urbanas co-led the US delegation.

Philippine Department of Energy Supervising Undersecretary for policy and planning Felix William Fuentebella led the Philippine delegation.

The US and Philippine delegations emphasized the centrality of energy security, decarbonization and collaboration among nations with shared values in sustained economic development amid the region’s rapid economic growth and rising energy demands.

The US State Department said the discussion reinforced the role of energy cooperation in strengthening the US-Philippine partnership and focused on accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, modernizing and expanding transmission, and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Both delegations reviewed the progress of current energy projects in the Philippines and established priorities for future cooperation and technical support.

The US and the Philippines highlighted ongoing cooperation on small modular reactor capacity building and discussed next steps to deepening cooperation and moving forward to deployment under the highest standards of nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation.

During her visit, Harris announced that the US and the Philippines were initiating negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement (“123 Agreement”) to support expanded cooperation on zero-emission energy and nonproliferation priorities.

Once in force, this agreement will provide the legal basis for US exports of nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines.

In a statement, the White House said the US is committed to working with the Philippines to increase energy security and deploying advanced nuclear reactor technology as quickly as safety and security conditions permit to meet the Philippines’ dire baseload power needs.

The deployment will support both energy security and climate goals and support workers and businesses in both countries.

Following the inaugural EPD, US Department of Energy leadership including Urbanas and Deputy Secretary David Turk will visit the Philippines to continue engagement and partnership on shared energy transition priorities.