MANILA, Philippines – The government is likely to convert the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) into a coal-fired power facility, said Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.
Almendras said initial study conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is leaning towards converting the mothballed nuclear power plant into a “coal-fired” plant.
If proven feasible, Almendras said the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) would conduct a bidding for the technology to be used in building the coal-run power plant.
However, the government will only bid out the operation and management of the new facility. “The asset will be retained by the government,” Almendras said.
The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) will decide the direction of the government’s plan with the BNPP.
Meanwhile, Almendras admitted the development of nuclear energy would still be a “socio-political decision”. Earlier, the Aquino administration shelved plans to develop nuclear energy, after the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in Japan.
Almendras said the government has trimmed the budget for maintenance of the BNPP.
“We are in the process of downsizing it (National Power Corp.) Napocor’s budget for BNPP’s maintenance,” he said.
All assets pertaining to the BNPP were transferred by Napocor to the National Government in 1986. Despite this, Napocor continued to shoulder the expenses for the upkeep of mothballed plant to the tune of P40 million to P50 million per year.
From 1986 to December 2010, the BNPP-related advances made by Napocor have reached P4.367 billion. –abs-cbnNEWS.com
June 2025
Philippine Environment Month!
“Action for Nature, for the Future!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
1 Jun – World Day of Parents
5 Jun – World Environment Day
7 Jun – World Food Safety Day
8 Jun – World Oceans Day
12 Jun – World Day Against Child Labour
15 Jun – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
16 Jun – International Day of Family Remittances
17 Jun – World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
20 Jun – World Refugee Day
25 Jun – Day of the Seafarer
27 Jun – Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Daily Observances:
June 6: Migrant Workers Day
June 19: Filipino Youth Day
June 25: Day of the Filipino Seafarer
