Vancouver, Canada—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) met with Canadian engineering and nuclear technology firm AtkinsRéalis on July 2 to discuss possible cooperation in civil nuclear energy, engineering services, and long-term project development to support the Philippines’ energy security and clean energy transition goals.
The cabinet-level meeting was held on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s official working visit to Canada. DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, met with AtkinsRéalis executives to evaluate prospective, safe, and commercially viable technologies for the country’s long-term energy mix.
AtkinsRéalis is a Montréal-headquartered engineering services and nuclear company with more than 40,000 professionals globally. Through Candu Energy Inc., the company provides nuclear engineering, technology, licensing, project planning, project financing support, supply chain localization, and major project execution services.
The company presented its CANDU EC6 nuclear reactor technology as one of the potential options for the Philippines as the country evaluates safe, reliable, and commercially viable technologies for its civil nuclear energy program.
Secretary Roque said continued dialogue with experienced technology providers will help the Philippines better assess solutions that can support industrial growth and long-term energy security.
“Reliable and affordable energy is essential to industrial growth. As the Philippines studies nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy mix, we welcome AtkinsRéalis’ interest in sharing its proven engineering and nuclear technology expertise with the country,” Roque said.
Secretary Go likewise highlighted the potential for AtkinsRéalis to contribute its global expertise as the Philippines strengthen its regulatory and institutional frameworks.
Discussions explored potential areas of cooperation across the nuclear value chain, including regulatory readiness, project development, licensing and engineering support, workforce training, and human capital development.
CANDU technology uses natural, unenriched uranium and heavy water. According to the company, 31 commercial CANDU reactors have been built globally in countries such as Canada, Argentina, China, Romania, and South Korea, with the technology also used in major refurbishment and life-extension projects. Furthermore, the Canadian CANDU technology prides itself not only as a safely regulated and licensed technology in nuclear power generation, but also in producing nuclear isotope byproducts that can be used for life saving medical treatments.
The Philippine government reaffirmed its readiness to support strategic investors through investment facilitation mechanisms, including the Green Lane for Strategic Investments under Executive Order No. 18. The DTI, through the Board of Investments and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Toronto, will continue coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders to support follow-through discussions.
Also present during the meeting were Ambassador Victor Chan-Gonzaga of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canada and Trade Commissioner Mario C. Tani of PTIC-Toronto. AtkinsRéalis was represented by Richard Robinson, President for Asia, Middle East and Australia, and Savalaxs “Sara” Supa-Amornkul, Director for Business Development.
