Regulatory Delays Threaten Philippines’ Nuclear Power Ambitions
- November 13, 2026
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The Philippines must appoint qualified officials and establish an independent nuclear regulator before proceeding with nuclear power projects, as delays in operationalizing the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) threaten to undermine investor confidence and the country’s target of integrating nuclear energy into its power mix by 2032.
This was stressed by industry executives and nuclear experts during a three-day workshop held by The Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) beginning Nov. 4. They said that an operational regulatory body is essential to provide licensing certainty, enforce safety standards, and establish the institutional framework needed to attract investments in nuclear power, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs).
The workshop comes as the government moves to prepare for nuclear energy deployment, but key leadership appointments at the newly established regulator remain pending.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12305, or the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act, on Sept. 18, 2025, establishing PhilATOM as an independent authority responsible for overseeing nuclear and radiation-related activities.
The law provides for an independent regulatory framework covering nuclear safety, security, and safeguards. However, the Office of the President has yet to appoint the officials who will comprise the PhilATOM Council, delaying the agency’s full operationalization.
The implementing rules and regulations were supposed to be issued within 180 days from the law’s signing.
Regulatory Leadership A Must
Carlo Arcilla, former director of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), said nuclear projects cannot move forward without PhilATOM and its leadership in place.
“PhilATOM is one of the best nuclear laws in the world,” Arcilla said during a media roundtable on nuclear energy development. “It went through a severe test. But it needs a Director General… The PhilATOM will help guarantee safety.”
He stressed that the DOE cannot take over the regulator’s responsibilities because its mandate is focused on energy policy rather than nuclear regulatory enforcement.
Aaron Green, president and chief executive officer of US-based energy solutions organization EōS, said the regulatory authority must have a strong foundation before construction of nuclear facilities begins.
“The regulatory body that oversees that construction needs to be in place, and needs to have a very strong foundation,” Green said.
He also pointed to the uncertainty facing prospective investors, particularly in the absence of established licensing requirements and a clear framework for determining electricity prices.
“As an investor—may it be me or anyone—as how can you do an auction on something you don’t know what you can sell the power for?” Green said.
EōS is exploring opportunities to connect the Philippines with international SMR technology providers and facilitate project development through local partnerships.
Need For Technical Expertise
At the DOE-NEA workshop, OECD-NEA Director-General William D. Magwood IV said an effective nuclear regulator must be independent, technically capable and able to make sound decisions, with public health and safety as its primary responsibility.
He added that transparency and institutional credibility are necessary to maintain public confidence in nuclear energy.
“Establishing a strong regulator, it isn’t just a matter of having the right regulations in place and the right programs in place,” Magwood said. “It is having the right people in place.”
Magwood described RA 12305 as a “very, very important first step,” but said establishing the agency would require additional work, particularly in developing the technical expertise needed to evaluate complex nuclear technologies and safety concerns.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said the country’s preparations must be anchored on strong institutions, sound governance, and a firm commitment to nuclear safety and security.
The institutional preparations are particularly important as the government considers different reactor technologies and potential project locations.
The Philippine Energy Plan targets at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity by 2032, increasing to 2,400 MW by 2045 and 4,800 MW by 2050.
The DOE is also developing the rules for an auction covering the country’s first nuclear power projects.
Costs And Feasibility
Industry participants said the government must also establish commercial arrangements that allow developers to manage project risks without passing high costs to electricity consumers.
Felino Bernardo, head of strategic energy transition at Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), said nuclear development requires three elements: suitable technology, an enabling regulatory framework, and a viable revenue model.
He warned that uncertainty surrounding regulations and project implementation could lead bidders to incorporate additional risk premiums into their proposed electricity prices.
“Interested developers or bidders will put in a number to cover the risks,” Bernardo said. “It’s all about managing your risks… We have shareholders that we need to protect. We also have customers or stakeholders to protect.”
MGen is conducting a comprehensive feasibility study on SMR deployment under its Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition program, supported by a grant from the US Trade and Development Agency.
The study is expected to assess the commercial viability of introducing the technology in the Philippines, with completion targeted in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The company has cited a $2.8-million grant for the research, equivalent to about ₱160 million at indicative exchange rates. Another account of the funding placed the grant at ₱67.8 million, or $1.2 million, leaving a discrepancy in the reported amount.
Arcilla said nuclear power could complement renewable energy by providing dependable electricity regardless of weather conditions. He noted that advances in reactor design have strengthened safety systems, although technology selection, site assessments and regulatory oversight remain critical.
Source:
https://tribune.net.ph/2026/11/06/philippines-builds-independent-nuclear-watchdog
