The Department of Energy (DoE) is pursuing collaboration with counterparts in the ASEAN region toward policy formulation and human resource development in aligning nuclear technology as long-term option for power generation.

Energy Secretary Rene D. Almendras noted that nuclear option will form part of the country’s search for alternatives that will bring down its carbon footprint while at the same time enhance prospects for energy security.

As a starting point, the member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)recently adopted the terms of reference (TOR) of the Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-sector Network (NEC-SSN), which stressed on the importance of reinvigorating and improving manpower skills in nuclear power projects operation relative to the plunge of most countries in the region to join the ‘nuclear renaissance’ bandwagon.

“We should look at what our neighbors in the region have been doing. It should be part of our learning as we put in our nuclear policy,” the energy chief noted.

While focusing on the short-term solutions at augmenting the country’s near term power supply, the energy department is also looking forward into feasible prospects to satiate the country’s energy needs. On the long-term sphere, the DoE sets sights not only on nuclear but also on broadening the base of renewable energy (RE) investments.

With the intensifying global debate on climate change risks, nuclear re-emerged as an option and many countries in Europe have already gone notches ahead in embracing it as a solution.

In the Philippines, several business groups like the Mindanao Business Council (MBC) and the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Inc. (SEIPI), have already opened their minds on nuclear given the recurrent dilemma of the country on power supply shortages.

The ‘ghosts’ of the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island nuclear accidents of the 1980s, proponents said have already been addressed by technology improvements.

On the other major concern of waste disposal, while this remains an alarming concern because of fears on radioactive leaks, nuclear studies portend that there are proven technologies and alternatives that can address the issue.

For instance, in countries which are still setting up their disposal sites, nuclear wastes are being stored in casks and can be kept there for decades.

It was noted that a cask being utilized by a nuclear facility in Switzerland can store nuclear wastes from 3,000-megawatt plant for the next 60 years. And for plants with smaller capacities– say 1,000 MW, the wastes can be stored for the next 180 years.

Waste management and disposal, studies noted only account for a small portion or just about 10% of the overall investment cost for nuclear projects.

If the Philippines would choose to turn its back away from nuclear, it has been emphasized that it will be the one losing out in the “energy security race” against its Asian neighbors.

With sweeping arguments on energy security being brought to the table, East Asian countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia are also gradually taking their pace into taking the nuclear alternative.