Pinawi ni Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi ang pangamba ng publiko kasunod ng muling pagsusulong ng pamahalaan sa nuclear power bilang alternatibong energy source ng bansa.
Sa pagharap ni Cusi sa webinar ng Nuclear Business Platform sinabi ng kalihim na sinisikap nilang tugunan ang apela ng iba’t-ibang sektor para matiyak ang energy security sa ilalim ng isinusulong na programa.
“Given that the idea of harnessing nuclear power for our energy needs is a highly politicized issue in our country, we have been working to ensure that public and stakeholder acceptance is fully and properly addressed.”
Paliwanag ng Energy chief may nabuo ng komprehensibo at detalyadong communication plan, na paiigtingin pa sa pamamagitan ng minamadaling Nuclear Energy Program.
Kung maaalala, nilagdaan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Executive Order No. 116 para sa maging prayoridad din ng bansa ang development sa nuclear energy.
Naniniwala daw si Cusi na mas bukas na ang mga Pilipino sa posibilidad ng nuclear energy, dahil malaking porsyento ng sumagot sa kanilang survey noong nakaraang taon ang may kaalaman sa benepisyo at risks ng panukalang energy source.
Nasa 78% din daw ng respondents ang interasadong matuto sa kaalaman ng nuclear energy, at 79% ang aprubado ang posibilidad na gamitin ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
“With such a positive turnout, I feel that now is time for intensified and informed public discussions on nuclear energy and its potential role in the Philippine energy security agenda.”
Sinabi rin ng kalihim na malaking porsyento ng survey respondents ang naghayag na makakatulong para tuluyang matanggap ng publikoang panukala kung pondo ng pamahalaan ang gagamitin sa pagbuo ng bagong power plant.
Binigyang diin ni Cusi na makakatulong sa energy security ang pagkakaroon ng nuclear power.
“Energy supplied by a nuclear power plant is considerably more secure as compared with plants that are powered by fossil fuels, which require constant feeds of coal or gas.”
“Additionally, in most reactors, fuel assemblies are used for an average of three years. Nuclear reactors on the other hand, operate with high capacity factors, allowing them to provide constant and a more reliable supply of power.”
Pinaka-epektibong alternatibo rin daw ang naturang enerhiya sa baseload power na gawa sa coal o uling. Bukod dito, may ugnayan din ang nuclear power utilization sa pagunlad ng ekonomiya.
Isa ang Pilipinas sa mga bansa Timog-Silangang Asya na bumuo ng nuclear power program nang itayo noong 1958 ang Philippine Atomic Energy Commission. Nagbunga ito nang pagtatayo ng BNPP na may 621-megawatt, ang natatanging power plant sa rehiyon.
“Unfortunately for us, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was mothballed and was never commissioned and operated. In fact, I often say that the Philippine economic landscape would be very much different today had the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant been operational.”
