NEWS | BNPP Revival faces contention
By The News Team
The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) reported that the unused Bataan Nuclear Powerplant (BNPP) can still operate despite decades of unuse. However, environmental groups expressed strong disagreement stating that the revival of the BNPP can lead to immense risks in the environment.
Assured safety of the BNPP
Carlo Arcilla, PNRI director, claimed that the BNPP remains one of the safest power plants in the world. “Mali yung sinasabi ng iba na laspag. ‘Di pa nga ginagamit eh. Imbitahin ko kayo pumunta doon, ‘yan lang yung nuclear plant sa mundo na pwede ka mag-selfie sa loob ng reactor,” he said.
On October 4, Arcilla in a radio interview also stressed that a nuclear accident leak similar to the 1986 Chernobyl disaster will not happen in the BNPP because Chernobyl’s power plant design is different from the nuclear facility in Bataan.
“Lahat po ng nuclear plants, (tulad ng BNPP), na Western design ay may takip. Ang tawag d’yan, containment structure. Kung sakaling may aksidente, di kakalat. ‘Yun pong Chernobyl, walang ganyan,” Arcilla explained.
He added that the BNPP’s design is similar with three power facilities located in South Korea, Slovenia, and Brazil.
Government’s plan
According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte wants the authorities to talk with the residents of Bataan regarding the possible reopening of the nuclear facility in their area.
Last July, Duterte issued Executive Order 116 (EO 116) that ordered a feasibility study on nuclear power and produced a national position on a nuclear energy program. The EO 116 also created a Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee headed by the Department of Energy.
Furthermore, plans of the revival of the BNPP was highlighted after Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi stated its benefit of acquiring safer and cheaper electricity from nuclear power plants as opposed to the Philippines’ current source of electricity. He was backed by Arcilla who emphasized that nuclear energy sources do not cast carbon dioxide emissions.
“Ang cost kasi at least one half cheaper. Para sa taumbayan ito. Ang mahal kasi talaga ng kuryente sa Pilipinas, di lang sa kilowatt per hour. Ang sinasabi ko po dito yung proportion ng take-home pay na binabayad sa kuryente,” Arcilla furthered.
BNPP risks
Environmental group Greenpeace asserted that nuclear power is expensive and dangerous as opposed to Secretary Cusi’s claims. Greenpeace urged the Duterte administration to focus on renewable energy instead of considering the use of nuclear power.
“Nuclear energy is the most expensive and most dangerous way to generate electricity, and can take 20 years to construct. It will only lock the country into perpetual dependence on imported fuels and debts, rendering our communities and our environment vulnerable to immense risks that we are ill-equipped to handle,” Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Khevin Yu stated.
On top of that, issues were raised regarding the plant’s condition as a Russian study on the BNPP found it to be absolutely outdated.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian advised the Department of Energy (DOE) to build a foundation for a sound nuclear power agenda before working on the possible use of the BNPP. According to him, planning on a nuclear policy in the country needs to be based on comprehensive and rigorous research while considering infrastructure issues and how these will fit into the environmental, social, economic, and regulatory bodies to address pertinent issues.
“Hindi totoo na mababa ang presyo. Dahil sa dami ng safety procedures at technology na ilalagay mo, tumataas yung presyo, tulad ng naging karanasan ng Vietnam,” Gatchalian said as he revealed that renovating BNPP will entail some $1 billion.
Moreover, Greenpeace questioned Duterte’s quick order on considering the use of nuclear power while the country is facing a more urgent concern as it struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic.
