Nuclear power to tackle energy crisis

Manila Standard Today
By Jun David | Aug. 18, 2014 at 12:01am
Marcos Jr. cites timely, lasting solution

Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said a looming energy crisis should get the administration to consider building a nuclear power plant.

He raised the urgency of a solution when he held a multi-sectoral dialogue on infrastructure and local government in Valenzuela City with Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo and other community leaders.

Marcos said the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was a victim of politics outside the fear of a meltdown.

“The BNPP was turned into a political issue,” he said in Tagalog. “Kung tutuusin pag itinuloy ang pagtatayo nito, hindi makakaranas ng kakapusan ng supply ng enerhiya ang buong Luzon (If at all, the entire Luzon will not experience shortage in energy supply if the power plant is built as planned).” said.

Marcos said nuclear facilities in other countries have boosted the economy because of a much cheaper source of energy.

“Korea has five nuclear plants and plans to add another,” he added, noting that the government was convinced about the economic gains outweighing the risks involved.

Marcos said foreign businesses are discouraged from investing in the country because of its steep price of electricity which is ranked among the highest in Asia.

“Instead, investors flock to other countries where electricity is cheaper and supply is always available,” he said.

Department of Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla had raised concerns over blackouts due to a 200-megawatt shortage expected around summer of 2015.

Recently, Malacañang said it would look into proposals to convert the BNPP for natural gas-power amid the country’s growing demand for energy due to a robust economy.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government was open to the idea.

“Mainam na pag-aralan ang panukalang iyan, kung ito ay posible at kapaki-pakinabang (It would do well to study the proposal for its possible benefits),” he said when asked about commissioning the mothballed.

Coloma cited the need to reassess an earlier study to determine the BNPP’s viability for the government and investors.

According to proponents, the projected 1,800 MW from the converted BNPP makes more sense to taxpayers that spending P26 million annually on the idle plant’s maintenance. source