Philippines finalizes licensing roadmap for nuclear power by 2032

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

The Philippine government has completed a harmonized, whole-of-government licensing and permitting roadmap for nuclear power projects, a key regulatory step as it targets nuclear energy integration into the country’s power generation mix by 2032.

The Department of Energy (DOE) said the streamlined framework was finalized following a whole-day Focus Group Discussion on Harmonizing Nuclear Power Plant Licensing in the Philippines held on Feb. 11 at the Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City.

The discussion was convened under the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), drawing over 100 representatives from 24 government agencies, the private sector, and academia.

The session was led by Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Finance Undersecretary Catherine L. Fong, and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director Carlo A. Arcilla.

Guevara stressed the importance of regulatory certainty in her welcome remarks: “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.”

“We are at a pivotal moment for our country’s energy future, and our collective goal is to strengthen our whole-of-society approach for nuclear power operation that will serve both the safety of our citizens and the efficiency of the energy sector,” Guevara added.

NEP-IAC Secretariat Head and DOE Director Patrick T. Aquino outlined the regulatory pathway, which spans seven major phases requiring sequential and parallel approvals.

These include business registration and foundational permits in the first phase; environmental clearances and nuclear siting requirements in the second; licensing by the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilAtom) to construct or secure a provisional permit in the third; energy sector-specific approvals and licenses in the fourth; operational and support registrations and permits in the fifth; construction monitoring and oversight in the sixth; and licensing for operation, testing, and commissioning in the seventh.

“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 said.

The government plans to present the NEP-IAC-validated flowchart to prospective nuclear power project proponents who wish to invest in the Philippines, alongside relevant policies and investment incentives.

Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin earlier said the government aims to begin accepting nuclear power plant license applications this year to stay on track with its 2032 target.

Implementation will be carried out through PhilAtom, created under Republic Act No. 12305 or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in September last year.

The Philippines is also working closely with the IAEA and other nuclear-embarking countries to strengthen technical capabilities and regulatory preparedness.

The DOE-led NEP-IAC has held a series of multistakeholder workshops addressing priority issues identified by the IAEA.

“By finalizing this harmonized licensing roadmap, 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,” Garin said.

Under the 2032-2050 Philippine Energy Plan, nuclear capacity is targeted at 1,200 megawatts (MW) by 2032, rising to 2,400 MW by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050.

The phased entry of nuclear energy is envisioned as part of a more diverse power generation mix to meet the country’s growing electricity demand.