AboitizPower Joins Nuclear Energy Push With South Korean Partner
- August 10, 2026
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Aboitiz Power Corp. has taken a significant step toward exploring nuclear energy as part of the Philippines’ future power mix after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. (KHNP) to assess the technology’s viability for the country.
The partnership marks AboitizPower’s first formal move into nuclear energy exploration, reflecting the growing momentum behind the government’s push to diversify the country’s energy sources and strengthen long-term energy security. The agreement focuses on preliminary studies and knowledge sharing and does not commit either party to developing a nuclear power project.
Exploring Nuclear Technologies
Under the MOU, AboitizPower and KHNP will undertake joint pre-feasibility studies, exchange technical information, and conduct capacity-building initiatives related to nuclear technologies. The agreement is exploratory and non-exclusive, with no binding obligations imposed on either company.
“This MOU marks a meaningful step in AboitizPower’s efforts to understand nuclear energy’s potential contribution to the Philippines’ energy security and reliable baseload capacity,” AboitizPower chief corporate services officer Carlos Ramon Aboitiz said.
Aboitiz emphasized that any future role for nuclear power in the Philippines must be supported by comprehensive technical studies and a strong regulatory framework.
“Nuclear energy is complex and highly regulated, and any future role for it must be grounded in rigorous technical assessment and strong regulatory oversight,” he said, adding that the company sees significant value in learning from KHNP’s decades of operational experience while working alongside the Department of Energy (DOE) to responsibly evaluate nuclear power’s place in the country’s energy future.
Government-Backed Initiative
The signing ceremony was attended by AboitizPower president and chief executive officer Danel Aboitiz, DOE Secretary Sharon Garin and National Power Corp. president and chief executive officer Jericho Jonas Nograles.
For Garin, achieving a secure, clean and reliable energy future requires close collaboration between the government and the private sector, as well as partnerships with experienced international industry players.
She said the country’s energy transition cannot be accomplished through government efforts alone and highlighted the importance of public-private coordination and the exchange of best practices with companies such as KHNP.
The partnership aligns with the government’s efforts to reintroduce nuclear energy under the Philippine Energy Plan. While the original target called for at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of commercially operational nuclear capacity by 2032, the DOE has indicated that initial deployment may instead begin by 2035.
Beyond the initial target, the government’s long-term roadmap envisions expanding nuclear generating capacity to 2,400 MW by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050 as part of efforts to diversify the country’s energy mix and improve energy security.
Leveraging South Korea’s Experience
KHNP is South Korea’s largest electric power generation company, accounting for roughly one-third of the country’s electricity output. Its generation portfolio includes renewable energy facilities, while its installed nuclear generating capacity totals about 26,050 MW.
The company has decades of experience constructing and operating nuclear power plants both in South Korea and overseas.
“Building on KHNP’s extensive experience and technical expertise gained through constructing and operating nuclear power plants both in Korea and overseas, we look forward to working closely with AboitizPower to support the Philippines’ energy transition,” said KHNP senior executive vice president for Business Development and Management Division Il-kyung Choi.
South Korea’s nuclear industry is also closely watched in the Philippines because it operates a nuclear power plant that is an exact twin of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was completed in 1984 but was never commissioned due to safety concerns and political issues.
Shift In Industry Outlook
The agreement also reflects AboitizPower’s evolving position on nuclear energy.
The company had previously taken a cautious stance toward nuclear power amid uncertainties surrounding the government’s plans. However, as policy directions have become clearer under the Marcos administration and the DOE continues to develop the regulatory and implementation framework, AboitizPower is now positioning itself to better understand the technology and evaluate its potential role in the country’s long-term power supply.
For now, the partnership remains focused on technical assessment, knowledge exchange, and capability building, laying the groundwork for informed decision-making as the Philippines considers nuclear energy as a potential source of reliable baseload electricity in the years ahead.
Source:
https://business.inquirer.net/604169/aboitiz-taps-korean-giant-for-nuclear-energy
https://tribune.net.ph/2026/08/05/aboitizpower-taps-korean-firm-for-nuclear-study-2
