Marcos puts nuclear at heart of cheaper energy roadmap

Bold Energy Reform Vision

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr unveiled an ambitious energy overhaul on Monday, putting hydrogen and nuclear power at the heart of the country’s drive to cut electricity bills and secure its future supply.

During his fifth State of the Nation Address in Quezon City, Marcos announced that the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) had been formally brought into the national energy programme. “This is the first time in our political history, BARMM is now firmly set to pursue its strategic vision of energy security and total electrification for and in the Bangsamoro region,” he said.

Hydrogen Energy Power Expansion

Marcos also said work had begun on the Philippines’ first hydrogen power plants. Projects are already at the pre-development stage in Marinduque, Masbate, Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan, with more possible sites under assessment.

“Beyond what has been laid out for our energy security, I am confident that we can rise even further,” Marcos said, drawing applause from lawmakers.

Nuclear Energy Future Revival

The president then turned to one of the country’s most controversial energy options, urging Congress to put nuclear power back on the table. He said nuclear technology was already being used in the Philippines in medicine, agriculture, water filtration and plastic waste recycling. Expanding it into electricity generation, he argued, could strengthen the power supply and bring down bills.

“We are confident in its capacity to reinforce our energy security and to bring down the cost of electricity in our country,” Marcos added. Seeking to calm safety fears, Marcos promised that any future nuclear programme would put public protection and transparency first. “We will ensure that it is safe,” Marcos said. “We will also ensure that the positive benefits of nuclear energy to us are properly explained to the public.” The energy push is designed to diversify the Philippines’ power mix, extend electricity access to underserved regions and tackle high costs. But a nuclear revival remains a long way off. Any commercial programme would still need major legislative, regulatory and technical groundwork before power generation could begin.

RTVM, via Viory.Video