Nuclear Energy Set for Infrastructure
Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) supports the integration of nuclear energy for commercial use during the 7th Annual Meeting of Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-Sector Network (NEC-SSN) at Sofitel Hotel on April 19.
Department of Energy Undersecretary Jess Posadas, who represented Secretary Alfonso Cusi said that with the upcoming infrastructure projects, the country would be needing energy geared to power economic development with the P8.9 trillion worth of investments in infrastructure in the next five years.
Posadas also said that nuclear energy would last longer than other fuels as it has a long-term option for power generation that will provide supply, stability and reliability. He added that this diversifies the existing generation comprised of coal, natural gas, geothermal, hydropower, oil, wind, biomass and solar energies.
“Owing to its base load characteristics, nuclear energy will be in support of the thrust of the Philippine government, which is the realization of the Philippine Development Plan’s (PDP) drive for industrialization and urbanization. It is central for a country towards the path of development to have the available and required capacity to meet the nation’s increasing demand requirements “ Posadas said.
Resource persons suggested that ASEAN governments must come up with clear-cut policies, legal and regulatory framework, infrastructure and unstinting support for it through capacity build-up.