DICT eyes data hub at Bataan nuclear plant

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is carrying out a study to assess the feasibility of converting the long-mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) into a hyperscale data center.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

As it stands, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said BNPP already has the “ingredients” to meet the needs of hyperscalers or tech giants that require massive data storage.

Aguda noted that the dormant nuclear plant has the infrastructure, location, and fiber optic connectivity suitable for a hyperscale data center.

He said the provincial government of Bataan and other potential locators have been pushing the national government to breathe new life into BNPP to cement the country’s position in the rapidly-growing data center industry.

The official said the DICT began its technical feasibility study on the prospect earlier this year, with target completion within the fourth quarter.

He explained that the study will primarily evaluate if the project is actionable, adding that a potential public-private partnership (PPP) is not yet being considered.