PH eyes Russia for small nuclear reactor study

The Philippines is studying tapping Russia in its study on the possible use of small nuclear modular reactors to power the country's energy needs.

Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen made the remarks in an interview with Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro in Kazan, Russia, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is attending the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit.

Marcos is also expected to discuss food and energy security and other issues during his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Sa ating enegry mix, ang Pilipinas ay hindi pa gumagamit ng nuclear energy. But, of course, pinag-aaralan natin ang paggamit ng nuclear energy. Sa panahon ngayon, ang nuclear energy ay mas mainam, iyong small nuclear modular reactors. Ang bansang Russia ay may kakayahan diyan dahil I think sila ang kauna-unahan sa mundo na may floating nuclear power plant," Philippine Ambassador to Russia Igor Bailen said in an interview with Palace Officer Usec Claire Castro in Kazan, Russia.

(In our energy mix, the Philippines is not yet using nuclear energy. But, of course, we are studying the use of nuclear energy. At present, the more viable option in nuclear energy is small modular reactors. Russia has the capability in this area because, I think, it was the first country in the world to have a floating nuclear power plant.)"Ang pagkakaalam ko ay ang Amerika ay may kakayahan diyan pero hindi pa nagsisimula. So pinag-aaralan po ng Department of Energy, in accordance with the standard set by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna yung mga standards, conditions, and cost-benefit analysis ng paggamit ng nuclear energy. Kasi alam naman po natin, we are one of the biggest archipelagos in the world. Mahal ang kuryente sa Pilipinas. Mahirap ang pag-transport ng energy sa mga isla," Bailen added.

(To my knowledge, the United States also has the capability, but it has not yet begun operating such facilities. So the Department of Energy is studying the use of nuclear energy in accordance with the standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, including the required standards, conditions, and cost-benefit analysis. As we know, the Philippines is one of the largest archipelagos in the world. Electricity is expensive in the country, and transporting energy across the islands is difficult.)Bailen mentioned that China, Japan, Canada, and France are also studying the possible use of small nuclear modular reactors.The ambassador explained that these small modular nuclear reactors are mounted on barges, with seawater used as a