Amid the country’s power crisis, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is eyeing “cutting-edge” micro nuclear fuel technology developed by a United States-based firm that brings safe, clean, and cost-effective electricity to consumers.
Meeting of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with officials of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 2 (US time). (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)
Several provinces—most notably Occidental Mindoro which experienced 20-hour daily power outages—have suffered from massive blackouts for several weeks before the Marcos administration negotiated with the owner of three power plants in the province to resume their operations.
The Chief Executive, who is in Washington to meet with US President Joe Biden and hold several other meetings, discussed the potentials of the new technology with officials of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), a US-based firm global leader and vertical integrator of nuclear technologies and services.
Francesco Venneri, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., expressed interest in bringing clean and reliable nuclear energy to the Philippines, describing the move as “probably a very important way for us to enter the market.”
The official revealed that his company is seriously considering the Philippines for its first nuclear energy facility in Southeast Asia, signaling such interest with his knowledge about the series of blackouts in the country.
“We also note that there’s a great deal of discussion about Mindoro having blackouts and that might be an excellent….a good science [solution],” Venneri said.
The micro modular reactor (MMR) energy system is described by USNC officials as a fourth generation nuclear energy system that seeks to deliver safe, clean, and cost-effective electricity to users.
Considered as the first “fission battery” in commercialization, the MMR is currently being licensed in Canada and the US.
But since the company is expecting a heavy demand for its MMRs and nuclear fuel, it sees the potential of the Philippines as a nuclear hub in the region.