P100M for nuke plant upkeep sought

MANILA, Philippines–A state firm is seeking a budget of P100 million to maintain the mothballed 630-megawatt Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) next year, according to a government official.

According to the official the amount the National Power Corp. is seeking would be more than double the annual allocation of up to P45 million for the facility.

The official, who declined to be named, said the budget for the maintenance of the BNPP was not included in Napocor’s yearly budget. The allocation usually comes directly from the national government.

“Napocor is seeking a bigger budget in case the pending House bill for the rehabilitation of the BNPP is approved,” the official said. “We need the amount for better maintenance of the facilities.”

But Congress is still debating the bill authored by Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, which seeks to revive the 22-year-old white elephant at a cost of another $1 billion.

Built in the 1980s, the $2.3-billion nuclear power plant was not allowed to operate because of safety concerns, particularly the disposal of nuclear wastes, apart from charges of overpricing. It was also met with extreme opposition from various militant groups.

The official verification reports submitted by Korea Electric Power Co. to Napocor indicated that the rehabilitation of the BNPP would be highly feasible.

“Most of the facilities are okay and can still be used, according to Kepco’s official report, although some of the equipment may be ready for replacement while some are for testing,” the same official had said.

The verification report is part of a feasibility study being undertaken by Kepco and its local unit Kepco Philippines—part of a memorandum of understanding the company signed with Napocor in November 2008.

Kepco has yet to submit the complete results of its study.

It will be the next administration that will decide the fate of the mothballed facility as Napocor will likely be able to submit to the government the complete assessment report on the BNPP in May 2010.

The government official added that should the government abandon plans to rehabilitate the BNPP, a higher budget would still be needed for maintenance.

“It would be more expensive to dismantle the facility anyway,” the official added. –Amy R. Remo, Philippine Daily Inquirer