Philippines pursues nuclear energy deal with UAE as part of strategic partnership

• The Philippines is exploring clean and sustainable power options to address power outages.
• Marcos hopes to partner with ENEC to explore the potential use of nuclear energy.
• The Philippines expects nuclear energy to meet its growing power demand.

On Monday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with Mohammed Al-Hammadi, the head of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp., as the government seeks to incorporate atomic power into its energy mix.

The Philippines is exploring clean and sustainable power options to address frequent power outages and high tariffs. Currently, coal remains the primary source of electricity in the Southeast Asian nation, accounting for over half of its power generation.

ENEC CEO Mohammed Al-Hammadi met with Marcos during a courtesy call at Malacanang Palace in Manila, where they discussed a potential partnership in nuclear energy.

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hopeful the Philippines could successfully partner with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. (ENEC) as the country explores the possible use of nuclear energy for power generation,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

During the meeting, Marcos told Al-Hammadi, “Nuclear as an alternative energy option is a subject we have been discussing for a long time.” He added that he has been working to determine the government’s next steps.

“And this had become a very high-priority topic. I hope we can find ways to help each other in this,” Marcos was quoted as saying.

Philippine officials expect nuclear energy to help meet the country’s growing power demand, projected to require an additional 68 GW by 2040.

Established in 2009, ENEC implements the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, including the development and operation of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi.

After Barakah opened in 2021, the UAE became the first Arab state to operate a nuclear power plant.

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