The Philippines could end up producing power from nuclear plants by 2035 at the earliest, a three-year delay from the original target, due to the extensive regulatory and safety approvals, according to the Department of Energy (DoE) as reported by BusinessWorld.
The DoE cited the need for compliance with international safety standards, site evaluations, and public consultations as factors contributing to the potential delay. The government originally aimed for 2032 to begin commercial operations of a nuclear facility.
Despite the setback, the DoE emphasized that nuclear energy remains a key component of the country's long-term energy mix to ensure baseload power and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A final decision on the nuclear program is expected after completion of feasibility studies.