Philippines Urged to Shift to Nuclear, Cut Fossil Reliance

Amid intensifying climate change and worsening extreme weather, advocates and scientists are calling for the Philippines to urgently phase out fossil fuels and transition to nuclear energy to ensure a cleaner, more sustainable, and reliable power future.

The call was amplified during Earth Day 2025 as energy experts, lawmakers, and environmental groups underscored the urgent need to overhaul the country’s fossil fuel-dependent energy system, which currently accounts for about 78% of electricity generation.

“Our country gets about 78% of its energy needs from coal, which needs to be burned,” said Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Mark O. Cojuangco, a staunch advocate for nuclear energy and chair of the House Special Committee on Nuclear Energy.

“As one can imagine, this produces a lot of emissions, increasing the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere,” he added.

Cojuangco stressed that nuclear power plants emit nearly zero greenhouse gases, making them one of the cleanest and most reliable sources of electricity.

The push for nuclear energy comes in the wake of devastating climate events in recent years.

In 2024, the Philippines endured a record-breaking typhoon season with six storms in less than a month, culminating in Super Typhoon Pepito which displaced more than 200,000 people.

Meanwhile, 2024 was recorded as the hottest year globally, with 2025 on track to surpass it, as evidenced by March heat waves that led to class suspensions across Metro Manila.

Alpas Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization that has been at the forefront of nuclear energy advocacy since 2019, is spearheading public education efforts on the benefits of transitioning to nuclear power.

During the “Nuclear Energy is Green Energy” forum hosted at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) on April 29, Alpas Pinas Lead Convenor Mary Gayle Certeza emphasized the economic and environmental benefits of nuclear power.

“Not only is nuclear energy cleaner,” Certeza said, “the energy it produces is also less costly, resulting in lower electrical bills for Filipino households.”

“This means more resources for other urgent household expenses,” she added.

Certeza also highlighted how reducing reliance on fossil fuels and adopting nuclear power could help improve air quality and public health.

“The clean nature of this energy source means improved air quality over time, which can, in turn, improve the respiratory health of our kababayans,” she said.

PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla reiterated the institute’s support for moving away from fossil fuels.

“We believe that we should start moving away from fossil fuels for our country’s energy needs sooner rather than later, considering the many detrimental side effects their emissions pose to the environment,” Arcilla said.

According to the Department of Energy, coal remains the Philippines’ top power source, accounting for nearly half of its total energy mix, followed by natural gas and oil.

Only a small fraction comes from renewable sources like hydro, wind, and solar, and none from nuclear—yet.

The push for nuclear energy is not entirely new in the Philippines.

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), built in the 1980s but never activated, remains structurally intact and is often discussed as a potential candidate for re-commissioning or conversion into a training facility.

Congressman Cojuangco has long advocated for harnessing the BNPP or developing new modular reactors across the archipelago.

He pointed to international best practices, including successful nuclear programs in countries like South Korea, France, and Canada, as proof of the technology’s safety and efficiency.

“Nuclear energy has powered other countries safely and efficiently for decades. The Philippines has the talent, the infrastructure foundation, and now, the urgency to do the same,” Cojuangco said.

The Philippines is already laying the groundwork.

In 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 164, adopting a national position on nuclear energy and allowing its inclusion in the country’s energy mix.

In 2024, the Department of Energy signed several Memoranda of Understanding with foreign governments and private firms exploring nuclear cooperation.

Public support for nuclear energy is also growing as awareness campaigns take hold and electricity prices remain high.

A 2023 Pulse Asia survey found that 60% of Filipino adults are open to nuclear energy, especially if it lowers their monthly electric bills and addresses the country’s chronic power interruptions.

Alpas Pinas, in partnership with the PNRI, plans to expand its educational outreach to more provinces, schools, and local government units.

“Our mission is not just about promoting nuclear,” Certeza said.

“It’s about creating an energy-secure future that lifts every Filipino household out of energy poverty and into prosperity,” she added.

The group also called for clearer legislation, long-term regulatory planning, and workforce development to prepare the country for a nuclear future.

With rising energy demand, environmental risks, and electricity costs, stakeholders argue that now is the time for bold and decisive action.

“The time to act is now,” Arcilla said.

“We must harness clean, affordable, and sustainable energy—before the costs of inaction become irreversible,” he added.