The Philippines through the Department of Energy (DOE), together with experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is concluding this week an intensive Site and External Events Design (SEED) Workshop that strengthens the Philippines’ nuclear power plant site selection process in accordance with internationally accepted safety standards.
The workshop brings together technical experts from the DOE and partner agencies with specialists from the IAEA’s External Events Safety Section (EESS), who are sharing internationally recognized methodologies for evaluating potential nuclear power plant sites against external hazards, including earthquakes, flooding, volcanic activity, extreme weather events, and other natural and human induced risks.
The activity further strengthens the technical capabilities of Philippine institutions involved in the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program (PNEP), ensuring that future nuclear power plants will be planned, designed, and operated in accordance with the highest international standards for safety, security, and resilience.
The milestone comes just days after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his fifth State of the Nation Address, reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to pursuing nuclear energy as part of the country’s long-term strategy to strengthen energy security, ensure a stable supply of electricity, and help lower electricity costs for Filipino consumers.
“Meeting the country’s growing energy needs requires us to pursue every viable, safe, and sustainable energy option. Nuclear energy has the potential to become a transformative pillar of our energy future. It can provide reliable, round-the-clock electricity, attract high-value investments, strengthen the Philippines’ competitiveness in the global semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries, and create quality jobs for future generations of Filipinos,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said.
“Selecting the right site is among the most critical decisions in developing a nuclear power program. Through our close collaboration with the IAEA, we are ensuring that every step is guided by science, rigorous technical evaluation, and the highest international standards for safety, resilience, and public protection.”
In parallel with the ongoing technical work on site selection, the DOE is also advancing the policy and market mechanisms needed to support the country’s first nuclear power project.
DOE Director Patrick Aquino said the Department is finalizing the revised Nuclear Capacity Tender Guidelines while advancing the identification of the proposed site for the country’s first nuclear power project.
The revised guidelines are expected to provide more detailed provisions on project sites, eligible technologies, transmission requirements, energy storage integration, and bid evaluation criteria before the launch of the country’s first nuclear capacity tender.
The DOE is also evaluating whether future nuclear projects should incorporate energy storage solutions, including battery energy storage systems and pumped-storage hydropower facilities, to enhance grid reliability and enable nuclear energy to complement the country’s rapidly expanding renewable energy sector.
The SEED Workshop forms part of a broader series of significant milestones achieved this month under the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program.
The Philippine Government recently finalized the National Policy and Strategy for Nuclear Security (NPSNS) and its corresponding action plans, establishing a comprehensive framework for protecting nuclear and other radioactive materials, associated facilities, and related activities throughout their entire lifecycle.
The DOE also completed technical workshops to strengthen the country’s framework for evaluating radioactive waste management technologies and finalised the enhanced National Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (RadPlan), which establishes clearer operational protocols and stronger inter-agency coordination mechanisms for nuclear and radiological emergencies.
Earlier this month, the Philippines likewise hosted the ASEAN Nuclear Emergency Notification and Communication Exercise, bringing together ASEAN Member States and international partners to test regional coordination, emergency communication, and information-sharing mechanisms during a simulated nuclear incident.
Collectively, these initiatives demonstrate the Philippines’ steady progress in establishing the technical, regulatory, institutional, and emergency preparedness foundations necessary for the responsible introduction of nuclear energy.
Together with the ongoing site selection process and the forthcoming nuclear capacity tender, these efforts reinforce the Administration’s commitment to developing a nuclear energy program that adheres to the highest international standards of safety, security, transparency, and environmental stewardship while delivering reliable, affordable, and clean electricity that will support the country’s long-term energy security, industrial competitiveness, and economic growth.
