Meralco expands nuclear energy push with South Korean partnerships
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Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is strengthening its push for nuclear energy in the Philippines, expanding its partnerships in South Korea to explore and develop small modular reactors (SMRs).
On Tuesday, August 19, Meralco announced a new agreement with DL Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd, a collaboration that will focus on the potential deployment of SMRs through feasibility studies, site assessments, and strategic planning.
The utility company’s recent visit to South Korea also included discussions and site visits with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), Samsung C&T Corp., and LG Energy Solutions.
Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer, stated that these international partnerships are crucial for building the company’s internal capabilities and ensuring the “sustainable and safe adoption of nuclear energy in the Philippines.”
Beyond infrastructure, Meralco is also focused on developing a skilled local workforce. The company’s Meralco Power Academy (MPA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS).
This partnership, part of the Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program, will send Filipino scholars to study nuclear engineering starting in March 2026.
This collaboration builds on a previous partnership with KEPCO last February, which focused on smart grids, storm hardening, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), grid automation, data analytics, and distributed energy resource integration.
Additionally, the Meralco Power Academy is set to host more than 20 students from KEPCO’s Sudo Electric Technical High School in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Aperocho, the insights gained from these partnerships will help “support our country’s long-term energy security in a way that prioritizes the welfare and well-being of every Filipino.”
Meralco’s SMR exploration recently received a boost with a $2.7 million (around ₱152 million) grant from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).