By Samuel P. Medenilla - October 4, 2018
The Department of Energy (DOE) is
now just waiting for the go signal of President Duterte before the department
could move forward with its plan to finally tap nuclear energy in power
generation.
During its budget hearing in the
Senate on Tuesday, the DOE revealed it had already submitted its position paper
on the matter at the Office of the President for approval.
If approved, it will allow the DOE
to start a long-term capacity-building plan toward the construction of a new
nuclear power plant in the country.
Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi
said they hope Duterte could decide on the proposal soon, since it will take
them at least seven years to build a nuclear plant.
“After we have the technology, what
follows is capacity-building, identification of areas and social activities,”
Cusi said. He explained the preparation for the construction of the plant will
entail numerous preparation, including the tapping of capable personnel to
operate it and getting public support for the project.
“We want nuclear to be part of our
energy for security, sustainability and for affordability reasons,” Cusi said.
The current administration has been
trying to revive the country’s aspiration of using nuclear power since 2016
with the creation of the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization.
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