Philippines power company Manila Electric Co (Meralco) has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Electricité de France (EDF) to explore the potential of nuclear energy deployment in the Philippines.
“One of Philippine government’s key objectives is to achieve greater energy security for our country and nuclear power is one viable path toward that goal,” said Meralco Chairman & CEO Manuel Pangilinan. “We see this cooperation as a significant first step for Meralco, and we are committed to taking a leadership role in advancing nuclear energy in the Philippines. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with France in this crucial area.”
Meralco signed a two-year memorandum of cooperation with EDF, under which EDF will provide technical and strategic support to Meralco for a feasibility study focused on site activities, power system integration, and the economic viability of nuclear power in the energy mix.
EDF will also provide training sessions on nuclear reactor technology and nuclear project management and will support Meralco in implementing a potential nuclear programme in the country. Meralco and EDF will work to seek funding opportunities, including from the French government, to support nuclear deployment in the Philippines.
“Through this important first step and the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with you we hope to make real progress at your site as well,” said Vakisasai Ramany, EDF Senior Vice President for International Nuclear Development. “This is the beginning of what we envision as a remarkable, long-term journey, one that could span the next hundred years.”
The partnership builds on Meralco’s various engagements with Université Paris-Saclay (UPS) and top nuclear institutions in France for possible collaborations on capacity building and knowledge sharing in a bid to advance its Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) initiative.
Meralco, along with Meralco Power Academy (MPA), teamed up with UPS for its Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) programme which cultivates the next generation of strong innovators in the field of nuclear energy by enhancing the competencies of Filipino energy professionals.
The parties also engaged several French government research and industrial institutions including the Authority for Nuclear Safety & Radiation Protection (ASNR – Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection) and Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA – Commissariat à l’énergie Atomique et aux énergies Alternatives) to explore potential partnerships on knowledge sharing on nuclear energy.
Meralco, in 2024, also signed MOUs with universities in the US, Canada and China as well as with South Korea’s Samsung Corporation Engineering & Construction (Samsung C&T).
