Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) is in discussions with France to develop nuclear power plants in the Philippines, in an attempt to expedite the country’s nuclear energy capabilities.
In a report by Manila Bulletin, MERALCO Executive Vice President and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho revealed that the company recently met with the French government to explore research collaborations, focusing on a feasibility study for a 1,200-megawatt (MW) conventional nuclear power plant.
Aperocho stated that the study would prioritize site selection and leverage France’s long-standing expertise in nuclear technology, with a potential partnership with Électricité de France (EDF).
France, which derives nearly 75% of its energy from nuclear power, has streamlined its plant construction process, according to Aperocho, describing it as “copy and paste.”
He highlighted the Philippines’ existing frameworks for waste disposal, reactor fabrication, and other nuclear processes, but stressed the need for supportive legislation and a regulatory body.
The MERALCO executive vice president is optimistic about progress in the next two to three months, including the formation of terms for the French partnership, while simultaneously exploring technologies for small modular reactors (SMRs) and conventional plants.
He noted that SMRs, with capacities of 300 MW or less, and larger conventional plants could become key components of the country’s energy mix, replacing coal-fired power plants as a reliable base load source.
MERALCO aims to complete preliminary studies and groundwork in anticipation of legislative and policy developments, enabling the swift initiation of nuclear projects once legal frameworks are in place.
The Department of Energy (DOE) projects the first operational nuclear plants in the Philippines by 2032, targeting 2,400 MW of capacity by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050.
