Meralco, MGEN tap US firm for nuclear SMR feasibility study

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

MANILA – Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN) have selected U.S.-based engineering firm Sargent & Lundy, in partnership with local engineering firm AMH Philippines, Inc. (AMH), to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the potential deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines.

The study is the next step in a USD 2.8 million technical assistance program funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), which was formally announced in February 2026.

It is intended to give One Meralco a rigorous, data-driven basis for determining whether, when, and how SMRs could form part of the country’s future energy mix.

A dedicated SMR Working Group has been established within the One Meralco group to lead the study and coordinate closely with Sargent & Lundy and AMH.

The study is targeted for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027.

“Partnering with Sargent & Lundy marks a pivotal step in turning our nuclear roadmap into actionable, data-driven decisions under our NEST program. As we advance this USTDA-funded study, MGEN remains committed to exploring safe, reliable, and low-carbon technologies such as SMRs as we work to secure the Philippines’ long-term energy future and support the country’s economic growth,” MGEN President and CEO Emmanuel V. Rubio said in a press statement.

Sargent & Lundy will lead a vendor-neutral, U.S.-focused SMR assessment program aligned with relevant International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards and international best practices.

The study will examine key considerations for potential SMR deployment, including technology assessment and site selection, grid integration, financial and commercial planning, decision-making frameworks, and stakeholder capacity building through a dedicated series of workshops.

The engagement is also expected to strengthen the technical capacity of key Philippine stakeholders, including MGEN, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), by providing practical frameworks and tools to support informed decision-making as the country advances its nuclear energy roadmap.

“By bringing together a dedicated internal working group, alongside global and local experts, we are undertaking a comprehensive assessment that considers the technical, financial, and regulatory realities of the Philippine setting. The study goes beyond identifying suitable technologies and potential sites. It will also build the technical capacity and decision-making frameworks that can support MGEN and our national stakeholders well beyond the completion of the study,” MGEN Head of Strategic Energy Transition Felino M. Bernardo said.