Source: PRIS database (www.iaea.org/pris).

2.2.2. Plant upgrading, plant life management and license renewals

The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is under preservation since its completion in 1986. IAEA Mission has been conducted in 2008 which gave recommendations for nuclear grade preservation of the plant. Plant life “assessment” will be carried out as part of the status verification of plant systems and components. 

During its construction in the ‘70s/80’s, BNPP has been issued with the corresponding Construction Permit by the regulator. This Permit may either be renewed or upgraded depending upon the result of assessment and feasibility study to be undertaken in the near future.

2.3. Future development of Nuclear Power

2.3.1. Nuclear power development strategy

Since the creation of the DOE in 1992, only the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) covering the planning period 1998-2035 incorporated nuclear as a long-term energy supply option.  The 1998 Plan forecast developed four scenarios to determine its sensitivity to different energy policy alternatives and the impact of regional cooperation programs.  Under the said Plan, a 600-MW nuclear plant will be operational by 2025. Additional nuclear power plant units 600 MW each were planned to be completed in  2027, 2030 and 2034.  Thus under the PEP 1998-2035,  the total nuclear capacity was projected to reach 2,400 MW by the end of the planning period*.

At present, a bill for the recommissioning of the BNPP is pending on the Philippine Congress which when passed into law would hasten the nuclear program for the Philippines.  Likewise the operation of the said power plant would also trigger the construction of more units.  

When the BNPP recommissioning bill is approved, a feasibility for the plant’s recommissioning will be undertaken and within a period of three to five years, BNPP may be put into operation. 

*Source:  Philippine Energy Plan 2007-2014

TABLE 8. PLANNED NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS (Based on 1998-2035 PEP)

2.3.2. Project management

The development of the country’s nuclear power program is now vested under a governmental ad-hoc committee describe in the preceding diagram.  By virtue of an inter-departmental order between DOE and DOST, this Inter-agency Core Group on Nuclear Energy was created.  Its prime objective is the development, management, setting-up of policies and strategies which will involve nuclear power generation.  Part of their mandates is the feasibility study for the possible re-operation of BNPP.

The Committee will act as the interim NEPIO until the Executive Department of the government has issued an order formally creating the NEPIO.

2.3.3. Project funding

Nuclear power projects would be funded by external financing organization in view of the huge capital cost necessary in putting-up a new plant.  Likewise, in case of  BNPP recommissioning, external funding may also be required.  However, the recommissioning bill has made  certain provisions in the electricity tariff as source of funds for BNPP. 

2.3.4. Electric grid development

New high voltage transmission lines as well as switchyard upgrade is necessary for the recommissioning of BNPP as well as for new power plants.  

2.3.5. Site Selection

In 1998, the government has created a committee, the Nuclear Power Steering Committee to provide for the directions on the country’s nuclear power program during this period.  It identified numerous possible sites throughout the country as future sites for nuclear power plants as shown in the next figure. 

Except for the Bataan site, which would only need updating of data for its Environmental Impact Assessment, all the rest would further require detailed and in-depth site investigation studies and would require preparation of Environmental Impact assessment.  All sites are located near the sea, hence abundant cooling water from the sea.  Likewise, all identified sites are accessible by land transportation and within distance from transmission lines.

2.4. Organizations involved in construction of NPPs

On erection/construction of new nuclear power plants, as well as the possible recommissioning of BNPP, the Philippines, through its electric utility corporation, the National Power Corporation will be the main player based on existing laws and because of its vast experience in electric power generation and construction.  It has its own engineering, technical services and project management organizations which could be equipped to handle the pre-construction activities, construction stage, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning of a nuclear power plant.

2.5. Organizations involved in operation of NPPs

The National Power Corporation will be responsible for the operation of nuclear power plants.

2.6. Organizations involved in decommissioning of NPPs

For the decommissioning it will be the National Power Corporation.

2.7. Fuel cycle including waste management

For the country’s first operational nuclear power plant, the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle will be sourced through foreign expertise like what had been done for the BNPP.  The BNPP’s fuel supply contract with Westinghouse included the mining and milling, uranium conversion and enrichment, up to fuel fabrication.  The same scheme would be arrange for future new plants and to BNPP should it be put into operation.

The new technology for  onsite interim storage of spent fuel would be used until firm governmental decision is issued with regards to the future use of the spent fuel.  For BNPP, if put into operation, the said storage facility would be set-up. 

Reprocessing is at present not among the priorities for the nuclear program, however, should there be decision later on that spent fuel would be reprocessed to convert it into fuel again, then it will be sent to the country  where the industry is already in placed or already matured.

On the issue of waste management, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, through the technical and financial assistance from the IAEA, has already identified suitable sites within the Philippines as its National Radwaste Repository Center.  The Center is being set-up to for the long-term storage of high level wastes coming from hospitals, from the PNRI itself and from nuclear power plants in the future.

2.8. Research and development

2.8.1. R&D organizations

At present, the PNRI has the mandates on R & D in the field of nuclear sciences and technology.  The country does not have any private institution that caters on this field.  However, the pending bill in Congress on the reactivation of BNPP has included provisions for the nuclear R & D.  Also, upon embarking to nuclear power, the country’s science and technology industry would certainly add an R & D on nuclear.

2.8.2. Development of advanced nuclear technologies

Presently the country is not engage in any advance nuclear technologies development.

2.8.3. International co-operation and initiatives

On international level, the PNRI acts as the national governmental agency which represents the country as a Member State in the IAEA.  PNRI has cooperative agreements in nuclear technology with other 16 Member States of the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Sciences and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA).  The PNRI partners several organizations and entities like the RCA Regional Office (RCARO), Forum for is the lead agency in atomic energy matters in Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA), Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and other organizations from Australia, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, USA and other countries through bilateral agreements/institute-to-institute agreements.

2.9. Human resources development

The present government is putting premium on human resource capability building and enhancement as a necessary prelude in considering nuclear power as a long-term energy option.  Capability building and enhancement on the various aspects on nuclear energy will involve training of local manpower for the possible introduction of nuclear into the country’s energy system. 

Currently the DOE, as the focal governmental institution on the nuclear power program, is leading an inter-agency discussion among the concerned governmental organizations, the academe and private sector to thresh-out the possibilities on re-building local technical capability in nuclear sciences and engineering. Due to retirement of many engineers new manpower will be recruited and develop.

2.10. Stakeholder Communication

A Communication Program titled BNPP Communication Plan to be implemented by the NPC’s Corporate Communication is on the drawing board, with the following objectives:

•          Raise level of awareness among concerned publics on the benefits of nuclear power in general and revival of the BNPP in particular.

•          Address the issues being raised by anti-nuclear and anti-BNPP through various fora.

•          Create an environment positive for the acceptance of the revival of the BNPP as a possible option in addressing the lack of generation capacity

The target audience are the general public, media, decision makers and stakeholders like the Philippine Congress, local government units (LGU), church, local media and non-governmental units.

Communication approaches will be through the tri-media approach (TV, print and radio) of press releases, feature stories and interviews, and guestings and personal appearances to relevant talk shows.  The other approach is the inter-personal approaches like conduct of foras and symposia with students from major academic institutions and LGUs within the vicinity of BNPP and will include sponsorship tours to the BNPP.

The media to be used will be major broadsheets and magazines, leaflets, posters and flyers, comics and five-minute featurettes and audio visual productions.

3. NATIONAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS

3.1. Regulatory framework

3.1.1. Regulatory authority(s)

The present nuclear regulatory authority is the PNRI which is formerly the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission or PAEC.  The PNRI’s bases for nuclear power plant regulations in the USNRC Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). 

3.1.2. Licensing Process

The licensing processes involves three main processes, the Provisional Permit Stage where a licensee is issued with Provisional Permit or Limited Work Authority.  Next is the Construction Permit Stage where a Construction Permit is issued upon licensee’s satisfaction or compliance to various requirements of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report.  The third stage is the Operating License Stage, where after completion of all conditions precedent, regulatory requirements, licensing of operators, etc., an Operating License is issued where the licensee can then proceed with the fuel core loading and initiate reactor operation for criticality.

3.2. Main national laws and regulations in nuclear power

• Republic Act No. 2067 (Science Act of 1958) created the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). At the initiative of PAEC, the Congress enacted R.A. 3589 amending R.A. 2067. The law provides PAEC with a dual mandate to  promote the peaceful applications of atomic energy and to  license and regulate  the use of radioactive materials.

• Republic Act No. 5207 (Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act of 1968) was enacted by the Congress to establish the comprehensive nuclear regulatory function of PAEC.  Provided authority to PAEC to issue license for the construction, possession and operation of any atomic energy facility.  It also served the basis for the promulgation of rules and procedures in the licensing of nuclear power plants.
• RA 6395 enacted in 1971 - authorized the National Power Corporation (NPC) to establish and operate nuclear power plants.

• Presidential Decree No. 606 issued on December 13, 1974 constituted PAEC as an independent and autonomous body transferring the same from the National Science Development Board (NSDB) to the Office of the President (OP).

• With the creation of the Ministry of Energy (MOE) under Presidential Decree 1206 dated October 6, 1977, PAEC was transferred to the control and supervision of the MOE from the Office of the President.

• Executive Order No. 613 dated August 15, 1980 transferred PAEC from MOE back to the Office of the President.

• 1981 – Code of PAEC Regulations (CPR) promulgated in April 1981 under Administrative Order No.1 series of 1981.  The National Standards/Regulatory Requirements were as follows:

          - CPR Part 3, “Standards for Protection Against  Radiation”

     - CPR Part 4, “Rules and Regulations on the   Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials”

- CPR Part 7, “Licensing of Atomic Energy   Facilities”, based mainly on US NRC documents and IAEA Standards, Codes and Guidelines.

• Executive Order No. 708 which was promulgated on July 27, 1981 attached PAEC to the Office of the Prime Minister.

• On March 17, 1984, Executive Order No. 784 reorganized NSDB to National Science and Technology Authority (NSTA) and placed PAEC under its administrative supervision. Executive Order No. 980 dated August 29, 1984 converted PAEC from a single-headed agency into a multi-headed agency composed of a Chairman and four Associate Commissioners forming the Board of Commissioners.  It reaffirmed PAEC’s role as the nuclear regulatory body

• In Executive Order No. 128 dated January 30, 1987, the NSTA was reorganized to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and PAEC became the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) headed by a Director and assisted by a Deputy Director

• House Bill No. 6300, An Act Mandating The Immediate Rehabilitation, Commissioning And Commercial Operation Of The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, Appropriating Funds Therefore, And For Other Purposes (2009)  

• House Bill Nos. 3155 and 3254, An Act To Regulate The Nuclear, Security And Safety Aspects In The Peaceful Utilization Of Radiation Sources Through The Creation Of The Philippine Nuclear Regulatory Commission Appropriating Funds Therefore, And For Other Purposes (2009)  

References

1.      Philippine Energy Plan 2007-2014, “Fuelling Philippine Development through Greater Access to Energy”, DOE

2.      Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Annual Report 2007

3.      PNRI @ 50, “Making Science & Technology Work for You”, PNRI, 2008

4.      Philippine Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 General Information & Technical Features, National Power Corporation, Engineering Division, Feb. 1984

Appendix 1:

International, Multilateral and Bilateral Agreements

·        International  treaties, conventions, and agreements signed/ratified (checking necessary):

-          The Convention on Nuclear Safety

-          The Joint Convention on Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive  Waste

-          The Joint Protocol Relating to the Application of the Vienna and Paris Convention

-          The Protocol to Amend the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage

-          The Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage

-          The Protocol Additional to the NPT Safeguards Agreement

-          A Party to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone Treaty

·      Cooperation agreements with IAEA in area of NP

-          Human Resources Development and Nuclear Technology Support, 2003 – 2008.

-          Development of a Near-Surface Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility, 2007-2008

·      Bilateral agreements with other countries or organizations signed/ratified by the country in the field of nuclear power

-          Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation on the Nuclear Power Project in the Philippines between NPC and KEPCO

Appendix 2:

main organizations, institutions and companies involved in nuclear power related activities

1.      Name            :        National Power Corporation

Address         ;        NPC Office Building Complex

                             Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman

1100 Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone      :        +63 2 9213541 to 79

Facsimile       :        +63 2 9212468

Email             ;       mlmarcelo@napocor.gov.ph

URL              :        http://www.napocor.gov.ph

Activities       :        Government Electric Utility Company

2.      Name            :        Department of Energy

Address         :        Energy Complex, Meritt Road, fort Bonifacio

                            Taguig City, Philippines

Telephone      :       +63 2 4792900

Facsimile       :

Email             :       badski@doe.gov.ph

URL              :        http://www.doe.gov.ph

Activities       ;       Governmental Agency for Energy Policies

3.      Name            :        Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Address         :       Commonwealth Ave., Diliman

                            1100 Quezon City, Philippines

Telephone      :       +63 2 9296010 to 19

Facsimile       :        +63 2 9201646

Email             :

URL              :        http://www.pnri.dost.gov.ph

Activities       :        Governmental institution for beneficial use of

nuclear Science and Technology, including

regulations, safeguards, licensing and control of

nuclear utilities and materials

Name of report coordinator   :        MAURO L. MARCELO, JR.

Institution                         :        NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION

Contacts                           :       +63 2 9227848 (landline)

                                               +63 928 5019857 (mobile)