Finally, Duterte approves the revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant but orders the DOE to pay attention to security and safety aspects.
Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi has finally convinced President Rodrigo Duterte to reactivate the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Duterte, who initially rejected the use of nuclear energy in the Philippines under his government, had a change of heart and gave a go signal to proceed with plans to reactivate the nuclear plant in Bataan.
During a press briefing in Santa Rita, Batangas on Friday, November 11, Secretary Cusi said that President Duterte only expressed his concerns on the safety and security aspects of the operation of the 40 year old power facility.
By this, the Chief Executive instructed the Energy chief to pay special attention to the security and safety aspects of operating the nuclear plant, which was completed but never fueled and commissioned.
Cusi also explained that President Duterte wanted extra precautions put in place to ensure the safe use of nuclear fuel, as well as security measures be established, in case of force majeure emergencies like natural calamities.
Secretary Cusi said that he “reassured him that all of his concerns will be addressed”. The President was also told that the Energy Department will follow the strict measures of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant could be rehabilitated and be up and operational within a couple to four years, according to Secretary Cusi, depending on what other elements need to be addressed.
The reactivation and bringing of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant to its original specification would cost the government $1 billion to generate 621 megawatts of electricity.
The BNPP was constructed in 1976, during the reign of then President Ferdinand Marcos, and was funded by a $2.3 billion loan from foreign creditors but it was not put in operation when his successor, President Corazon Aquino, decided against operating the plant.
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