Fate of BNPP up to next administration

Napocor to submit list of options in May 2010

STATE-RUN NATIONAL POWER CORP. SAID IT TARGETS TO SUBMIT by May next year its recommendations regarding the possible rehabilitation of the mothballed 630-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) for the next administration to consider.

Napocor senior vice president Pio J. Benavidez said they would base their recommendations on the results of a feasibility study that Korea Electric Power Co. (Kepco) is expected to submit by October this year.

In November 2008, Kepco and its local unit, Kepco Philippines, signed a memorandum of understanding with Napocor to pursue bilateral cooperation in the fields of nuclear power plant operation, maintenance and rehabilitation.

The Napocor-Kepco MOU, which is nonexclusive, has a validity period of three years and covers, among other provisions, “activities related to the feasibility of the possible rehabilitation of the BNPP.”

Benavidez disclosed that Napocor was also studying the financial models that may be used for the BNPP.

“It can be sold as is and another company will be the one to do everything or the government could also run it. There are many schemes,” Benavidez said.

Benavidez said that initial reports indicated that most of the equipment in the BNPP could still be used. He earlier said that the main system of the mothballed facility would have to be updated mostly on the electrical side like wiring, cable and the controls.

“But in terms of the mechanical side, it still can be used. We just have to replace the parts to make it operational,” Benavidez had said.

While the government initially said it might cost $1 billion to rehabilitate the BNPP, Benavidez noted the amount could even be lower.

Benavidez added that among the options being considered was to rehabilitate the BNPP and put up another nuclear power plant beside the Bataan facility since the site has earlier been readied for that purpose.

Built in 1980s, the BNPP is the country’s first nuclear power plant. However, it was not allowed to operate because of various concerns on its safety, disposal of nuclear wastes as well as charges of overpricing. It was also met with extreme opposition from various militant and environment groups.

Congress is still debating on a bill seeking to revive the BNPP at a cost of another $1 billion.

Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco had sought to revive and operate the 22-year-old white elephant with his bill, the “Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Commissioning Act of 2008.” –Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer