Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi has asked the Chinese government to assess and operate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which is considered a potential source of power for the country’s growing baseload demand.
Cusi said he met with a Chinese ambassador for discussion, but agreements have not yet been finalized.
“They will assess the nuclear operations of BNPP. In fact, they are interested even to operate it,” the DOE Chief said.
The Philippines is completing its power plant assessment based on the 19 Nuclear Infrastructure Issues by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with the help of Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO).
The assessment will be evaluated by IAEA to check if the country is ready to cater a nuclear program, and will aid the country to set a national position on the use of nuclear power as a source of electricity.
The BNPP was built in the 1980s to commercially operate in 1986 but was postponed due to the opposition from environmental and cause-oriented groups and the alleged kickbacks of Ferdinand Marcos from Westinghouse builder.
