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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider Philippines gears up for 2032 nuclear rollout

Philippines gears up for 2032 nuclear rollout

Published Feb 24, 2026 12:35 pm
The Philippines is preparing to welcome nuclear energy this year, as the Department of Energy (DOE) finalizes a comprehensive licensing roadmap to ensure safe, efficient, and fully regulated operations.
In a statement on Tuesday, Feb. 24, the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) outlined the regulatory clearances required to kick off nuclear project development in the country.
According to DOE Director and NEP-IAC Secretariat Head Patrick Aquino, the process includes seven phases: the first phase covers business registration and foundational permits, while the second focuses on environmental clearances and nuclear siting requirements.
To secure a provisional permit, developers must be verified or licensed by the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom), followed by sector-specific approvals and certificates.
For the fifth phase, developers are required to acquire operational and support registrations and permits, with construction monitoring and oversight coming next.
The final stage of the regulatory pathway is the project’s license to operate, test, and commission.
“We must ensure that every nuclear power plant project in our country meets the rigorous standards required for its safe and secure operation, in adherence to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements,” Aquino highlighted.
“We are sending a clear signal that the Philippines is preparing for nuclear energy with discipline and foresight. Our commitment is straightforward: strong safety oversight, predictable processes, and transparent public engagement, so that when proponents are ready to invest, government is ready to evaluate, regulate, and deliver our 2032 target responsibly,” said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin.
This permitting framework was laid out during a stakeholder discussion with private sector, academic, and government delegates under NEP-IAC.
Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said the roadmap would help boost nuclear power generation while safeguarding communities.
“We are not merely exploring a new source of power; we are architecting a sustainable, high-growth future for the Filipino people. This vision’s fulfillment will not materialize solely by the technology we choose or by the power plants we build. It rests on the strength, clarity, and predictability of the regulatory foundation we establish today,” she said.
Applications for nuclear power plant licenses will open this year, ahead of the Philippines’ target to integrate nuclear energy into the generation mix by 2032.
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