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The Department of Energy (DOE) has identified four potential locations in Luzon and the Visayas for the country’s planned nuclear power projects, while also finalizing a comprehensive licensing framework aimed at ensuring safe and regulated development ahead of a targeted 2032 rollout.
DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino said the agency had narrowed an earlier list of nine possible sites to three or four areas after considering siting requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Two of the shortlisted locations are on-grid sites in Luzon, while two others are off-grid areas in Palawan and Masbate.
Aquino said the sites were chosen based on proximity to transmission facilities and projected electricity demand.
Earlier this year, Aquino told the Senate Committee on Science and Technology that several areas in Bataan, including the existing facility where the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is located, remain suitable for nuclear development following physical inspections and evaluations. Other areas identified included Labrador in Pangasinan, Camarines Norte, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Masbate.
Licensing Roadmap Finalized
Under the Philippine Energy Plan, the government aims to integrate at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity into the energy mix by 2032. The target would double to 2,400 MW by 2045 and reach 4,800 MW by 2050. Officials have said nuclear power could help diversify the country’s energy sources, reduce emissions, and enhance energy security.
Although the Philippines completed the BNPP in the 1980s, the facility has remained idle since 1986.
Alongside site identification, the DOE, through the Nuclear Energy Program-Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), has outlined a seven-phase licensing process that developers must complete before operating a nuclear power plant.
Aquino, who also serves as NEP-IAC secretariat head, said the first phase involves business registration and foundational permits. The second phase covers environmental clearances and nuclear siting requirements. Developers must secure verification or licensing from the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) before obtaining provisional permits and other sector-specific approvals.
Emphasis On Oversight
Subsequent phases include operational registrations, construction monitoring, and oversight. The final stage involves the issuance of a license to operate, test, and commission the facility.
“We must ensure that every nuclear power plant project in our country meets the rigorous standards required for its safe and secure operation, in adherence to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements,” Aquino said.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the government intends to provide strong regulatory oversight and predictable processes as applications for nuclear power plant licenses open this year.
“Our commitment is straightforward: strong safety oversight, predictable processes, and transparent public engagement, so that when proponents are ready to invest, government is ready to evaluate, regulate, and deliver our 2032 target responsibly,” Garin said.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara added that the regulatory framework is intended to safeguard communities while supporting long-term energy planning.
The DOE has said it is relying on private sector participation to advance nuclear integration. Companies that have expressed interest in nuclear development include Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Aboitiz Power Corp., Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc., and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp.
Meralco has initiated an adoption study for small modular reactors (SMRs) and secured a $2.8-million grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency to support a feasibility study. AboitizPower has entered into a public-private partnership focused on workforce development.
Local Concerns
Despite progress at the national level, concerns have emerged in some proposed host communities. In Labrador, Pangasinan, residents, church leaders, and local officials have raised questions about safety, consultation, and potential risks. A proposal backed by Pangasinan Second District Rep. Mark Cojuangco seeks to build a 1,000-MW nuclear facility composed of four SMRs on approximately 120 hectares of land in the coastal town.
Critics have pointed to Labrador’s location along the Lingayen Gulf and its proximity to the East Zambales fault line, raising concerns about exposure to earthquakes and typhoons, as well as the possible impact of exclusion zones on residents.
As the government moves forward with its nuclear roadmap, officials have said compliance with international standards and community engagement will remain central to project development.
Source:
https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/24/philippines-gears-up-for-2032-nuclear-rollout
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2179305/pangasinan-town-nuke-plan-faces-backlash