Despite nudging from various groups, the Aquino administration has finally given the death sentence to proposals for the re-powering of the mothballed 620-megawatt Bataan nuclear power facility; but options to build nuclear facilities on other, safer sites will be considered.

Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras has verbalized the sentiment of President Noynoy Aquino, stressing that “as far as BNPP is concerned, it’s a closed issue because of the social reaction.”

He stated that the Aquino administration’s position as to queries on BNPP re-powering would be a solid “no” and hoped that this part in the history of the country’s initial nuclear foray may no longer be reopened.

The energy chief reiterated that the policy direction he has gotten from the Chief Executive is to still explore nuclear as option for the country’s energy security, but facility construction must be done in other sites with less “social resistance.”

“The President has emphasized that socio-political realities be considered in this option,” the energy chief stressed, adding that the next step for them will be to “explore other places if the people and the local government unit will accept such an option.” It must be noted that the BNPP mothballing was a decision made then by the late President Corazon Aquino in 1986.

Almendras emphasized that “we must consider the nuclear option very seriously. Even oil rich countries have already gone into it.

While it may be costly to put up, the long-term benefits of a nuclear plant will surely cascade to consumers.”

The cost of putting up new buildings for nuclear facilities would range from $4 to $8 million per megawatt depending on the capacity; but upon recovery of capital cost, it was noted that electricity generated from it will be cheaper for consumers.

The Philippines is seen as losing out on the “energy security race” against its Asian neighbors if it will not join the "nuclear renaissance" bandwagon as an option for the world’s energy future.