PNRI exec backs FMJ's plan for new nuke power plants
By Nidz Godino
"What our President said perfectly fits… I am thankful to him for saying that ," Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) director Carlo Arcilla said at a public briefing expressed support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s plan to build nuclear power plants.
According to Arcilla, 60% of power supply in the country comes from coal. He added that 70% of country's power sources were unstable.
Most of the coal used for power production in the country came from Indonesia, he added.
Arcilla said nuclear power was cheaper than power from coal. For example, the amount of fuel Bataan Nuclear Power Plant would need was equivalent to filling jeepney's tank, but it would keep jeep running for 18 months without emissions.
Coal plants, in contrast, need 50 Panamax ships of coal or 50,000 to 80,000 tons of coal to operate.
Importing this amount of coal would cost around $600 to $800 million, while nuclear fuel for 18 months is around $20 to $25 million.
"What is good about nuclear power is it is small amount but its energy density is very high," he said.
Arcilla was also confident that earthquakes would not damage nuclear power plants, as these would be built away from fault lines.
"May nagsasabi raw na dahil sa mga lindol huwag muna magkaroon ng nuclear, mali po yun kasi bago magtayo ng power plant siguraduhin mo na walang fault," he said.
He added that Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was not damaged after magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Abra on July 27.
President Marcos, who was considering adopting nuclear energy as part of the country's power mix, wants the government to rethink its strategy on nuclear energy.
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