Salceda explains number one advantage of nuclear power over solar, wind
At A Glance
- Nuclear power's sheer space-efficiency makes it the better choice over renewable energy sources like wind and solar, said Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda.

Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda (Rep. Salceda's office)
Nuclear power's sheer space-efficiency makes it the better choice over renewable energy sources like wind and solar.
Thus, said Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda ahead of the House Committee on Ways and Means' hearing on House Bill (HB) No.8210, or the measure establishing the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
“In a country where land is scarce, we need space-efficient options like nuclear," Salceda, who chairs the committee, said in a statement Saturday, Aug. 19.
"To produce the same amount of power, wind requires 170 times the land required by nuclear, and solar requires 32 times. So, nuclear is also good for our growing agricultural and housing needs," he explained.
“Let me give you some perspective on this. To power the entire country with wind power, you need an area the size of the entire Bicol region. To power it with solar power, you need an area the size of the entire province of Albay," he said.
"So, from a land use standpoint, renewable may be good for the environment and is good as part of our energy mix, but we still need space efficient sources," he further said.
Salceda said that San Juan City, Metro Manila’s smallest city by land area, could hypothetically host all of the nuclear plants needed to power the country at peak demand "and still have plenty of space left".
“Nuclear is also 28 percent cheaper than coal when installed. We just need to find sources to actually come up with the investments necessary at the initial phase," the Bicolano underscored.
HB No.8210 also provides for a comprehensive legal framework for radiation protection, nuclear security, safety, and safeguards, and physical safety in the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy in the Philippines. Salceda is a principal author of the measure.
Development of nuclear power is among the main goals of the Marcos administration.