Philippines, Russia ink nuclear technical assistance

November 16, 2017

The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Russian Federation State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) agreed on a nuclear cooperation program under a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) signed on November 13 at the sidelines of the 12th East Asia Summit.

“The cooperation with Russia is part of the government’s intention to develop a variety of applications of nuclear energy that are within our policies, particularly for power generation,” Energy Secretary Alfonso  Cusi said.

“Through this MOC, we can tap the significant experience of Russia in harnessing nuclear energy and the emerging technologies related to it for peaceful purposes that is safe and secure,” Cusi said

The undertakings in the memorandum, he said, would support the Philippines in coming up with a national position and the crafting of a nuclear energy policy that may lead to a nuclear energy program.

The Philippines and Russian Federation will cooperate in several areas under the agreement.

One, nuclear infrastructure studies towards national energy policy development and nuclear energy program implementation in the Philippines.

Two, audit and assessment of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant’s (BNPP) technical condition, including the option of its rehabilitation.

And three, feasibility studies on construction in the Philippines of small modular nuclear power plants, onshore or offshore, but not limited to analysis of technical, commercial, financial and legal aspects.

The two parties may also carry out similar studies on nuclear power plants in general as may be deemed necessary and consistent with national energy development plans and policies of the Philippines, the agreement said.

The cooperation will be implemented in the form of joint working groups that will undertake specific projects and tasks; exchange of experts; workshops; training and education of personnel; and sharing of technical information.

The MOC will run for five years and is renewable for the same period, unless one party notifies the other in writing through diplomatic channels of its intention to suspend or terminate it. DMS