The Philippine government has completed a harmonized, whole-of-government licensing and permitting roadmap for nuclear power projects, a key regulatory step as it targets nuclear integration into the energy mix by 2032.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the streamlined framework was finalized following a February 11 focus group discussion in Bonifacio Global City under the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), with over 100 representatives from 24 government agencies, the private sector, and academia.

Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara stressed the importance of regulatory certainty. “We are not merely exploring a new source of power; we are architecting a sustainable, high-growth future for the Filipino people. This vision’s fulfillment will not materialize solely by the technology we choose or by the power plants we build. It rests on the strength, clarity and predictability of the regulatory foundation we establish today,” she said.

“We are at a pivotal moment for our country’s energy future, and our collective goal is to strengthen our whole-of-society approach for nuclear power operation that will serve both the safety of our citizens and the efficiency of the energy sector,” she added.

The validated flowchart outlines seven major phases, from business registration and environmental clearances to construction oversight and final licensing for operation, testing, and commissioning. A central component is licensing by the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) for construction or provisional permits, alongside energy sector-specific approvals.

NEP-IAC Secretariat Head and DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino emphasized alignment with global standards. “We must ensure that every nuclear power plant project in our country meets the rigorous standards required for its safe and secure operation, in adherence to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements,” he said, referring to benchmarks set by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin earlier said the government aims to begin accepting nuclear power plant license applications in 2026 to meet the 2032 target. PhilAtom, created under Republic Act No. 12305 and signed by Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in September last year, will oversee implementation.

Under the 2032–2050 Philippine Energy Plan, nuclear capacity is targeted at 1,200 MW by 2032, rising to 2,400 MW by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050.

For industry players, the roadmap clarifies permitting pathways and regulatory sequencing. How will this shape investment decisions and long-term supply planning in the Philippine power sector?

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