Meralco Explores Small Modular Reactors in Nuclear Energy Transition

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has formally launched its Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, with the chance of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) installments identified as a key component of its long-term energy strategy.

The initiative was unveiled during the Giga Summit 2025, organized by the Meralco Power Academy. According to the company, NEST is intended to evaluate multiple options for implementing nuclear power into the Philippines’ energy mix in pursuit of low-carbon and sustainable energy sources.

Among these pathways, the potential of SMRs—compact nuclear reactors designed with flexibility and scalability in mind—has drawn particular attention. Meralco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the United States government regarding possible assistance and technology partnerships.

“We’re talking to the U.S. government on how we can get assistance in terms of nuclear energy in this country,” Pangilinan said, noting SMRs as one of the assets under review.

SMRs are significantly smaller than traditional nuclear power plants, typically generating up to 300 megawatts of electricity. They are designed to be factory-built, transportable, and potentially more cost-effective, thus making them a more viable option for countries with archipelagic geography or limited infrastructure- such as the Philippines. 

While the technology has been actively developed in countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the overall global deployment remains limited. To date, only a few SMR projects have reached the operational phase, with most still undergoing regulatory evaluation or construction.

Meralco emphasized that its approach to nuclear energy is grounded in technical diligence and institutional capacity-building. The NEST program follows the earlier launch of its Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) initiative in 2023, through which selected scholars were sent to train at the Harbin Engineering University in China and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States.

“These bold steps are driven not just by infrastructure, but by intellectual readiness,” said Ronnie L. Aperocho, President of the Meralco Power Academy. “Through the Academy, we continue to be a vehicle for capability-building and talent development in the energy sector.”

The company also noted the need for legislative and regulatory support. Pangilinan stated that Senate and Congressional action will be vital to establish a comprehensive nuclear energy framework for the country.

In addition to SMRs, Meralco is also studying the possibility of developing large-scale nuclear projects through partnerships with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), and operators from France and South Korea. The feasibility of rehabilitating the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is likewise under consideration.

The NEST program reflects a more common trend among energy companies and governments seeking to diversify power sources while also addressing climate concerns and rising electricity demand. Meralco’s exploration of SMRs signals a growing interest in newer nuclear technologies that could address both logistical and environmental challenges in the Philippine context.

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