BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson wants a better understanding of nuclear power after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with executives of a top nuclear energy firm during a working visit to the United States last week.
NuScale Power Corporation, an American firm known for developing small modular reactors, is planning to invest an estimated $6.5 to $7.5 billion in the country to produce 430 megawatts of nuclear power.
The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute also commented that such a technology would be perfect for islands, particularly those not connected to the power grid.
Nuclear power is also seen as a cheaper alternative with an estimated P1.50 to P2.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh) compared to other current available sources such as coal at P5.50/kWh, liquefied natural gas at P9.00 kWh, and diesel at P21/kWh.
According to Lacson, everyone wants to know if nuclear power is safe.
He also wants a better explanation from experts before he could make a decision whether he would support or go against such a technology.
Although nuclear power is slowly gaining popularity, some experts have expressed opposition to the proposal, pointing out the technology is still too risky./PN
