THE Department of Energy (DOE) is looking to tap into all available energy sources, including nuclear energy, to assure that the Philippines has sufficient energy supply amidst ever-growing demand, said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
In a release, the energy department stressed that the department is "technology neutral," and exploring all possible ways to bring affordable, secure, and reliable power to Filipinos nationwide.
“We are seeking innovative solutions to make power rates in the Philippines go down and ponder the feasibility of bringing nuclear power into the energy mix of the country, and we wouldn't want to wait until we are all crying for power before we actually do something." said Cusi.
Award-winning environmentalist Michael Shellenberger during the DOE's TED Talk helped shed light on common misconceptions about nuclear power as he expounded on how a country like the Philippines would benefit from harnessing this energy source.
Shellenberger is the founder and president of Environmental Progress (EP), an independent research and policy organization promoting cheap, reliable, and clean energy.
Shellenberger emphasized how scientific studies show that nuclear energy is the safest, cleanest, and cheapest form of energy, and correlated the use of cheap, safe, and clean sources of power to economic growth, poverty reduction, and improved health of the population.
But in supporting his case for nuclear energy, he stressed that while facts point to nuclear energy as the future of safe and reliable electricity production, the decision for the Philippines to go nuclear must be made as a people.
The talk was made possible by the DOE-Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO), which has been actively evaluating the feasibility of developing a national nuclear power program.
In November last year, DOE-NEPIO and the International Atomic Energy Agency conducted the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission to track progress made by the Philippines in addressing the 19 infrastructure issues needed to establish a full nuclear energy program.
The release added the DOE gave a presentation during a joint forum with the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. on emerging energy technologies that exporters and micro, small and medium enterprises can avail of to address their energy needs and mitigate their power costs.