DOE opens 2026 nuclear energy training

The Department of Energy is inviting engineers, scientists, government professionals and other energy sector stakeholders to join the first batch of its Nuclear Energy Awareness Training 2026 as the government prepares for the possible entry of nuclear power into the country’s energy mix.

The training will be held from June 9 to 11 at the DOE office in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The program is organized by the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee Subcommittee on Human Resource Development in collaboration with the DOE and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.

According to the DOE, the training will provide “foundational knowledge on nuclear energy, including safety, security, policy, and its role in supporting national development and long-term energy security.”

The DOE said the program is intended for professionals and stakeholders seeking to deepen their expertise in the energy sector as the Philippines explores nuclear power as part of its broader energy security and transition strategy.

The Philippines has been accelerating preparatory work for a potential nuclear energy program, including studies on the possible deployment of small modular reactors, cooperation agreements with foreign governments, and efforts to establish a legal and regulatory framework for nuclear energy development.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan 2023–2050, the government is targeting the introduction of at least 1,200 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2032, with planned expansion to 2,400 megawatts by 2035 and 4,800 megawatts by 2050.

The DOE has said the nuclear target is part of efforts to strengthen long-term energy security and diversify the country’s power mix.

The government is also pursuing a rehabilitation assessment of the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant while working with international partners, including the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency, on capacity building, policy development and workforce readiness.

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, a 621-megawatt pressurized water reactor, was completed in 1984 but was never commissioned, according to the IAEA.

The IAEA said in December 2024 that the Philippines had made progress in developing the infrastructure needed for a nuclear power program after a follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission conducted from Dec. 2 to 6, 2024.

The IAEA review also noted that the Philippines had adopted a national position for a nuclear energy program and advanced work on a comprehensive nuclear law, human resource development, regulatory framework, radiation protection, radioactive waste management and emergency preparedness.

Energy officials have cited nuclear power as a potential source of stable baseload electricity that could help address long-term supply security concerns, rising power demand and the country’s decarbonization goals.

The DOE said slots for the training are limited and subject to screening by the NEP-IAC Technical Secretariat.

Applicants must submit a recommendation letter from their immediate supervisor or head of office, agency or company.

Registration is free of charge and will remain open until June 2, 2026.

Interested participants may register through https://forms.gle/ukEKRW7YEAJ7WVcn6.

NEAT forms part of the government’s broader capacity-building efforts for the Philippine Nuclear Energy Program.

In October 2025, the NEP-IAC gathered more than 150 participants from universities, the private sector, civil society and government agencies for the third leg of the training program in Taguig, underscoring growing stakeholder interest in the country’s planned nuclear rollout.

Previous NEAT sessions covered nuclear plant site selection, radiation protection, nuclear safety, safeguards and the regulatory framework for licensing and operations.