Philippines Eyes Nuclear Energy to Address Rising Power Demand

• Marcos and ENEC’s Al-Hammadi discussed a nuclear energy partnership.
• The Philippines needs 68 GW more power by 2040.

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on Monday met with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation chief executive Mohamed Al-Hammadi as the government seeks to add nuclear power to its energy mix.

The Philippines has been looking for clean and sustainable options to generate power as the country experiences regular power outages and high tariffs. Coal remains the main source of electricity in South America, accounting for more than half of its power generation.

ENEC CEO Mohamed Al-Hammadi met Marcos during a high-level visit at Malacanang Palace in Manila, where they discussed a potential partnership in nuclear energy.

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hopeful that the Philippines will successfully negotiate with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp.

Nuclear as an alternative energy option “is a topic we’ve been talking about for a long time,” Marcos told Al-Hammadi during the meeting, adding that he was trying to figure out the government’s next steps.

“And it had become a very high-priority issue. I hope we can find ways to help each other with that,” Marcos said.

Philippine authorities are also expecting nuclear energy to help meet the growing power demand in the country, which is projected to require another 68 GW by 2040.

Established in 2009, ENEC is responsible for implementing the UAE’s Free Nuclear Energy Programme, including the development and operations of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Abu Dhabi.

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