Strengthening National Energy Resilience: Nuclear Power Re-Emerges as Primary Focus in the Philippines

Bataan, Philippines - September 24, 2026 — As other countries continue to expand their nuclear energy programs, the Philippines faces recurring power shortages, with yellow and red alerts declared across various regions. According to global statistics platform Worldometer, the country generates approximately 124 TWh of electricity annually, while neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia each produce over 300 TWh—more than twice the country’s total generation.

This highlights a growing need for the Philippines to diversify its energy sources and keep up with the increasing demand for electricity. Long regarded as the least prioritized source and subject to safety concerns, nuclear energy is again becoming relevant to the country's energy discussions as another viable option within the national grid, given the changes in the modern energy landscape. 

The reconsideration signals the push to reopen the Philippine Nuclear Power Plant (PNPP) in Bataan, which has been untapped for decades since its completion. The reopening of the said facility can further strengthen the country's energy mix, while also moving forward with other nations. Otherwise, the prolonged opening process of the facility could delay the Philippines' broader energy ambitions and even put the country behind amid the global shift toward nuclear energy.

Carrying the hopes of recommissioning the PNPP at an urgent time, Pangasinan 2nd District Representative Congressman Mark O. Cojuangco, a leading nuclear energy advocate and chairman of the Special Committee on Nuclear Energy, emphasized that the firm push to open the PNPP can help strengthen the energy mix amid the growing demand for electricity in the Philippines.

“Nuclear energy plays an essential role in addressing the country's increasing energy demands; that’s why we are determined to reopen the Philippine Nuclear Power Plant. If it keeps getting delayed, we’re missing the opportunity to establish another source of reliable energy when the country needs it most,” Cojuangco said.

Cojuangco also pointed to nuclear power plants in the United States, such as Palisades and Watts Bar, to highlight the potential of reassessing existing nuclear facilities, including the PNPP.

“Countries like the United States are demonstrating that nuclear power plants with decades-long histories can still contribute to their energy needs. The Palisades Nuclear Plant, which ceased operations in 2022, is now being prepared for a restart, while the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant overcame significant construction delays and setbacks and remains operational today. These examples highlight the need for the Philippines to explore the potential of recommissioning the PNPP. We should assess whether this existing facility can be safely and feasibly brought into operation to help address our growing energy demands, rather than leave a potential energy asset untapped,” Cojuangco said.

Alpas Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting nuclear energy as a clean and sustainable source of power, also underscored the urgency of PNPP's reopening. Gayle Certeza, PhD, lead convenor of Alpas Pinas, stressed that continued delays can leave the Philippines behind other countries that are now increasingly turning to nuclear power.

“The Philippines cannot afford further unnecessary delays in pursuing nuclear power, as we risk falling behind our regional neighbors and losing an opportunity to strengthen our long-term energy security,” said Certeza. “The PNPP was completed in 1985 and could have been Southeast Asia’s first nuclear power plant. Today, countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia are moving forward with their nuclear energy plans, while the Philippines continues to weigh its options. We must take decisive steps toward developing nuclear power to ensure that our country is not left behind and can secure a reliable, sustainable energy future.”

As the Philippines seeks to meet the rising energy demand, several members of Congress have expressed support for integrating nuclear power into the country's energy plan, particularly Occidental Mindoro Representative Cong. Odie Farreila; Masbate 2nd District Representative Cong. Olga Kho; Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Representative Cong. Joseph Kim Yu; Southern Leyte 2nd District Representative Cong. Coco Yap; KAPUSO PM Partylist Representative Cong. Munir Arbison Jr.; and Valenzuela 1st District Representative Cong. Kenneth Gatchalian.

Through congressional support, the ongoing deliberation of the Philippine Nuclear Energy Act (House Bill 08567), and renewed attention to the opening of the PNPP, these efforts signal the Philippines’ potential to advance toward greater energy security and nuclear development alongside other nations.