Study on nuclear power plant completed in 2011

The National Power Corp. (Napocor) expects to complete the feasibility study on the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in 2011.

Napocor president Froilan Tampinco said they signed last month a memorandum of undertstanding with Korea Electric Power Corp. (Kepco) for the conduct of a pre-feasibility study. Tampinco said the MOU is non-binding and will not cost the government anything.

“The effort does not prevent any other party who might be interested in coming in and doing their own study.  And we also welcome that,” he said.

According to Tampinco, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has endorsed the conduct of a pre-feasibility study on the facility.

He did not dismiss the possibility of tapping other agencies and experts on this matter.

In a meeting early this week, Tampinco said technical people of Kepco made an initial observation is that the nuclear power project of the Philippines will need more time to complete.

He sid the Kepco team observed that in order to pursue an effective nuclear power program, the Philippines needs to have an extensive and comprehensive infrastructure in place and that’s a long way to go.

Nontheless, Tampinco said the MOU with Kepco is a good way to start.

“We would have to see what the possibilities are, but we will be guided by the policies that will be mandated by the Department of Energy,” he said, adding that the government hopes to firm up its policy direction with regard to BNPP in the upcoming power summit.–Donnabelle L. Gatdula, Philippine Star