=== pep-2023-2050-vol3-section-a-page-008.pdf === STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS A. PHILIPPINE NUCLEAR ENERGY PROGRAM The DOE continues to work towards a sustainable future through a technology-neutral approach to develop clean alternative energy sources to provide greater energy security, stability, reliability, and reasonably priced energy for the country. This involves diversification of energy sources to include nuclear power as a long-term energy option. The DOE acknowledges nuclear energy as an alternative energy source, and thus actively exploring its feasibility to support sustainable development agenda and growth of the country. In 2016, the DOE established the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO) to study the feasibility of including nuclear power in the country’s generation mix. To have a whole of government approach in implementing a nuclear energy program (NEP), the DOE-NEPIO expanded its composition through the creation of the NEP InterAgency Committee (NEP-IAC), which was constituted with the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 116 in July 2020. The DOE chairs the NEP-IAC and the DOST NEP-IAC Logo as designed by the Committee. serves as the vice-chair. The NEP-IAC is composed of 24-member government agencies and divided into six (6) sub-committees (SCs) working together to implement the country’s NEP. The SCs clustered the 19 Infrastructure Issues of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Milestone Approach. The SCs have been assigned to implement various undertakings to address issues specific to their areas of concern, as shown in Figure 1. 1 Philippine Energy Plan === pep-2023-2050-vol3-section-a-page-009.pdf === Figure 1. NEP-IAC Sub-Committees Issuance of National Position. Since 2020, the NEP-IAC has already started laying out the foundational regulatory framework for the NEP, which led to the issuance of the country’s National Position by virtue of EO 164 signed and issued in February 2022. Driven by the current administration’s directive during the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in July 2023 on the need to re-examine the country’s strategy toward nuclear energy, the DOE has intensified its efforts on the development of the NEP in compliance with the IAEA 19 infrastructure requirements. The NEP timeline is aligned with the IAEA Milestone Approach, as shown in Figure 2. Vo l u m e 3 2 === pep-2023-2050-vol3-section-a-page-010.pdf === Figure 2. NEP Timeline (2023-2032) Accomplishments for Milestone 1. Under the current administration, the DOE, as the Chair of the NEPIAC, called for the updating of the NEP Roadmap and the reporting of the various activities by the SCs. At the end of 2023, various SCs have reported their accomplishments, as shown in Table 1. Table 1. SC Accomplishments 2022 to 2023 Infrastructure Issue Activities National Position • • Accomplished with the issuance of EO 164, s. 2022. On-going preparation for Phases 2 and 3. Nuclear Safety • Completed review of nuclear power plant regulation. Management • Completed management and leadership system assessment. Funding and Financing • Conducted knowledge sharing activities on financing large scale infrastructure. Legal Framework • • Drafted Comprehensive Nuclear legislation. Continuous international cooperation and ratification of treaties and conventions. Safeguards • Continuous monitoring of nuclear installations under the Comprehensive Safety Agreement. Radiation Protection • • Completed Report on Radiation Hazards. Developed National Registry. Regulatory Framework • Continuous push for the establishment of an independent nuclear regulatory body. Electrical Grid • Conducted capacity building on integration of nuclear power plants to power systems. Human Resource Development • • • Conducted capacity building activities for the NEP-IAC SC. Completed available domestic workforce survey. Assessed the human resource needs of the independent nuclear regulatory body towards the development of training programs and building a pool of local regulators. Assessed the human resource needs of nuclear power plant operators. Coordinated with the schools and universities for subjects, programs and courses on nuclear science and engineering. • • 3 Stakeholders’ Involvement • • • Established Core Communications Team. Trained communicators or spokesperson for nuclear energy. Conducted preparatory activities of the conduct of Public Perception Survey on Nuclear Energy. Site and Supporting Facilities • Assessed eleven (11) potential nuclear power plant sites nationwide. Environmental Protection • • Conducted workshop on environmental impact assessment for nuclear power plants. Developed Environmental Impact Statement Scoping and Screening Form/Checklist for nuclear power plants. Emergency Planning • Drafted the National Nuclear or Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (RADPLAN). Nuclear Security • • Developed Protocol on Management of Information. Drafted Memorandum of Agreement on Nuclear Security Events. Nuclear Fuel Cycle • Determined domestic available nuclear materials and reliable and responsible foreign suppliers. Radioactive Waste Management • Accomplished low/intermediate level and high-level waste (disposal option). Industrial Involvement • • Developed National Policy for the Promotion of Nuclear Energy. Continuous review of investment incentives. Procurement • Conducted knowledge sharing activities for nuclear power plant infrastructure procurement. Philippine Energy Plan === pep-2023-2050-vol3-section-a-page-011.pdf === Signing of the 123 Agreement. The Philippines and the United States (U.S.) signed the Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy or the 123 Agreement in November 2023 in San Francisco, California, U.S. It is considered as the fastest 123 Agreement negotiations completed in seven (7) months. The 123 Agreement, once entered into force, will allow the transfer of information, nuclear material, equipment and components directly between the Philippines and the U.S. or through persons authorized by their respective authorities to engage in transfer activities, which will support potential nuclear power projects with the U.S. providers. The signing of the 123 Agreement is also a reflection of the enduring cooperation between the two (2) countries on utilizing civilian nuclear energy across the spectrum of its applications both for power and non-power uses, such as in medicine, agriculture, and industry. Targets for Milestone 2. Under the Project Development activities under Milestone 2 (2024-2028), the NEP-IAC through its SCs is working toward the enactment of the country’s nuclear laws, compliance with international commitments, completion of another INIR Mission Review, operationalization of the nuclear regulatory body, publication, dissemination and implementation of the NEP Roadmap and Action Plan. The NEP-IAC will also work with the regulator in the accomplishment of the identified actions/targets. Key targets under Milestone 2 include regulatory compliance of the country’s nuclear power plant (2025-2028) and construction (2028-2032) as shown in Table 2. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. serving as witness in the signing of the 123 Agreement between DOE Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla, on behalf of the Philippines, Chairperson of the NEP-IAC and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, on behalf of the USA on November 2023 in San Francisco, CA Table 2. SC Targets for 2024 to 2032 Infrastructure Issue Activities National Position • • • • Creation of an office to oversee the implementation of the NEP based on the IAEA Milestone Approach. Establish a nuclear power plant contracting approach and the regulatory body’s commitments and obligations. Continue assessment of the effectivity of the National Policy and Pursue long-term international cooperation. Nuclear Safety • • • Draft the nuclear power plant regulations. Conduct training programs for regulators, operators, and technical support organizations. Establish a policy on interactions and continue policy review. Management • • • Establish the management systems for all key organizations and for all operations with accreditation to be obtained. Determine contract specifications and criteria. Develop a verification mechanism of construction and handover system, structure and components. Funding and Financing • Develop a reliable funding and financing mechanism plan to cover radioactive waste management, long-term spent fuel management, decommissioning, and compensation for nuclear damage. Legal Framework • • • Ratify related international conventions. Enact or amend other legislations affecting the implementation of the NEP. Continue to pursue new international cooperation on legal framework. Safeguards • • Continue monitoring of nuclear power plants under the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement. Conduct Expert Mission on Safeguards Assessment. Radiation Protection • Revise the regulations on Radiation Protection. Regulatory Framework • • Develop regulatory policies. Continue to pursue international cooperation on nuclear regulation. Electrical Grid • Evaluate the grid (main grid and off-grid) on the requirements of a nuclear power plant and the transmission facilities for the possible sites of the nuclear power plant. Study the inclusion of a nuclear power plant in Mindoro Island. Evaluate the installation of nuclear power plant in Palawan. • • Human Resource Development • • • • Continue capacity building activities for the NEP-IAC members, regulators, and potential nuclear power plant operators. Continue engagement of human resource stakeholders, vocational/technical schools for re-tooling of skilled personnel for nuclear power plant competence. Include nuclear energy subject in secondary school. Develop and implement undergraduate and graduate programs in nuclear science and engineering. Vo l u m e 3 4 === pep-2023-2050-vol3-section-a-page-012.pdf === Table 2. SC Targets for 2024 to 2032 Table 2. SC Targets for 2024 to 2032 Stakeholders’ Involvement • • Conduct public perception survey on nuclear energy on a regular basis including in areas considered as potential sites for nuclear power plants. Implement communication plan and stakeholders’ engagement strategy based on the results of the public perception survey on nuclear energy. Site and Supporting Facilities • • • • • Assess / evaluate candidate sites. Establish ranking criteria for the selection of sites. Conduct a writeshop for site assessment reports and desktop evaluation of new potential sites. Identify suitable sites and endorsed selected sites for site characterization. Conduct of Site and External Events Design (SEED) Review of IAEA. Environmental Protection • Conduct research on environmental protection for SMRs and other related studies on the monitoring and evaluation assessment for the environmental management plant including procedures for decommissioning. Emergency Planning • Review, finalize, approve, and test the RADPLAN in a national exercise and undertake its continuous updating. Nuclear Security • • Develop Protocol on Management of Information. Execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Nuclear Security Events. Nuclear Fuel Cycle • Implement the legal and regulatory framework for determined domestic available nuclear materials and reliable and responsible foreign suppliers through the National Policy and Strategy for Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management and the Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management Act. Radioactive Waste Management • • • Select processing technology (predisposal – processing and storage) Establish siting criteria. Select site evaluated with support preparatory works. Industrial Involvement • • • • Establish and approve the national codes and standards. Obtain quality assurance management including on safety and performance. Develop technology transfers policy. Localize target setting for nuclear power plants. Procurement • • • • Study the best practices in procurement of other countries with nuclear power plants. Develop procurement rules to support the procurement requirements of nuclear power plants. Interface with possible vendors to discuss procurement concerns. Finalize the procurement procedures for nuclear power plants. Targets for Milestone 3. Under the Final Investment Decision, contracting and construction activities under Milestone 3 (2028-2032), the NEP-IAC through its SCs will continue to assist the regulator on accomplishing the identified actions/targets of the NEP Roadmap and Action Plan for the period. Key target under Milestone 2 will be the completion of the construction of the nuclear power plant (2032). The completion of Milestone 3 is the start of the commercial operation of the nuclear power plant in 2032. It is envisioned that the regulator along with the NEP-IAC will continue to update the NEP Roadmap and Action Plan to respond to prevailing developments for the safe and cost-effective operation of nuclear power plants in the country. Long-Term NEP Targets. In this Philippine Energy Plan (PEP), the entry of nuclear power generation capacities is targeted in 2032 with at least 1,200 MW, and additional 1,200 MW by 2035 and 2,400 MW by 2050. Embarking on the NEP is expected to drive investment in human capital, contribute to increased labor productivity, offer lower life cycle emissions when compared to other energy sources, and serve as a cost-effective mitigation option for GHG emissions within the planning period. Nuclear energy can provide the baseload power requirement of the country. 5 Philippine Energy Plan === pep-2023-2050-vol3-section-a-page-013.pdf === Opportunities for additional generation capacities from nuclear power plants can complement the repurposing of coal power. Advancements in nuclear power plant technologies also provide a cost competitive alternative particularly the small modular reactors (SMRs) or microreactors whose resource requirements can lead to faster deployment when compared to the conventional pressurized water reactors (PWRs). The SMRs also have reduced fuel requirements when compared to PWRs. Moreover, SMR may be a sustainable source of power supply for offgrid areas. Figure 3. NEP Roadmap 2023-2032 Infrastructure Issue 2023 - 2024 2024 - 2028 Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation National Policy on Nuclear Energy National Position 2028 - 2032 2032 2028 - 2032 2032 Government Bodies Capacity Building and Coordination International Commitment and Cooperation Management Leadership Assessment Management Expertise on Management Systems and Safety Culture Contract Specifications and Criteria Funding and Financing Financing Plans and Funding Mechanisms Financial Instruments for Investments Capacity Building on NPP Grid Connectivity Electrical Grid Evaluation of Philippine Electrical Grid Luzon & Mindanao - Palawan Grid Interconnection Procurement Capacity Building on NPP Procurement Procurement Guidelines for Nuclear Power Plant Nuclear Power Plant Regulation Nuclear Safety Capacity Building on Nuclear Safety National Policy and Strategy for Nuclear Safety Technical Support Organiztions & Facilities Sub - Committee 2 Report on Radiation Hazards Radiation Protection Capacity Building on Radiation Protection National Dose Registry Recognition of Dosimetry Service Provider Revised Standards for Radiation Protection Management of Information Protocol Memorandum of Agreement on Nuclear Safety Events Nuclear Security Capacity Building on Nuclear Security Cybersecurity Policy Framework Physical Protection and Transport Security Policy Framework Design Basis Threat Matrix for Nuclear Power Plant Framework on Methodologies & Techniques for Security Monitoring Under the Comprehensive Safety Agreement Nuclear Safeguards Capacity Building on Nuclear Safeguards National Safeguard Approach Expert Mission on Safeguards Assessment Sub - Committee 3 Draft Comprehensive Nuclear Legislation Legal Framework First MWh of Nuclear Power Out Construction and Handover System Capacity Building on Financing Large Scale Infrastructure Start of Construction of 1st Nuclear Power Plant Sub - Committee 1 Nuclear Energy Management System Guidelines Capacity Building on Management International Cooperation and Ratification of Treaties and Conventions Capacity Building on Legal Framework Comprehensive Legal Framework for Planned Facilities & Activities Supplemental Legislations and Policies Independent Nuclear Regulatory Body Regulatory Framework International Cooperation Capacity Building on Regulatory Framework Comprehensive Regulatory Framework for Nuclear Safety Vo l u m e 3 6