Ambitious timeline set for nuclear energy dev't

TORONTO The clock is ticking for the Philippines to start its nuclear power industry, with the government setting sights on an ambitious and aggressive timeline that will see the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the country commencing in four years' time.

- RICHMOND MERCURIO

Under the Department of Energy (DOE)'s timeline for the development of nuclear energy, operations of the first nuclear power plant is targeted to start by 2032.

To achieve this, construction of the nuclear power facility is eyed to commence as early as 2028.

"If we want 2032, we need to start construction sometime soon and the regulatory compliance has to be in place already. We're trying to hasten the human capacity and all the other requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin said.

"With the Department of Science and Technology, with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute and with my agency, we've been trying to push to finish all the requirements of the IAEA without compromising security, safety and safeguards, she said.

Garin, however, admitted the target set by the agency is "very ambitious."