Philippines to open nuclear project bids by 2026

The Philippines plans to accept applications for nuclear energy projects by 2026, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said during the Philippine Energy Transition Dialogue 2025 in Makati City.

“It depends on the availability of the technology, because if it’s an SMR, it can be built in as little as four years,” Garin said, referring to small modular reactors (SMRs).

She acknowledged that while no commercial SMR has yet been deployed globally, the Department of Energy (DOE) is moving ahead to ensure the Philippines is not left behind.

“Our target basically is [for] the Philippines to be ready to accept applications by 2026,” Garin said, emphasizing inter-agency readiness that includes the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines.

The fate of the long-mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) could also be decided by then, with Garin stating, “When the time comes, there needs to be a consensus,” noting the decision will require support from the executive branch, Congress, and local governments.

South Korea is expected to submit the results of its feasibility study on BNPP by February 2026, a crucial input for future policymaking.

The Korean government signed a cooperation agreement with the Philippines in October 2024, deepening its role as a key partner in the country’s nuclear energy development.

Meralco, the largest private electricity distribution utility in the Philippines, has also partnered with Korean institutions for nuclear engineering training and technical assistance.

In June, the DOE marked the establishment of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) under the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act as a major milestone for nuclear governance.

The new agency is tasked with ensuring the safe and secure development of nuclear power in the country, a requirement for international compliance and public trust.