The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and its power generation arm Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) are moving forward in their pursuit of nuclear energy, launching a comprehensive feasibility study for small modular reactors (SMRs) that could reshape the country’s power supply for both the industry and consumers.
Announced Tuesday, the study will be led by US-based engineering firm Sargent & Lundy in partnership with local engineering company AMH Philippines Inc. It forms the next phase of the $2.8 million technical assistance program funded by the US Trade and Development Agency, first unveiled in February this year.
The initiative aims to deliver a solid, data-backed foundation to decide whether, when and how SMRs can be integrated into the Philippines’ energy mix—an issue that directly affects power costs, supply reliability and the transition toward cleaner electricity for households and businesses alike.
A dedicated SMR Working Group within the Meralco group will oversee the process, with the full study targeted for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027.
“Partnering with Sargent & Lundy marks a pivotal step in turning our nuclear roadmap into actionable, data-driven decisions under our NEST program,” said Emmanuel Rubio, president and chief executive officer of MGEN. “As we advance this USTDA-funded study, MGEN remains committed to exploring safe, reliable, and low-carbon technologies such as SMRs as we work to secure the Philippines’ long-term energy future and support the country’s economic growth.”
The study will follow standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency and global best practices, covering technology evaluation, site selection, grid integration, financial and commercial planning, and stakeholder capacity building through workshops. It will also boost technical capabilities for key Philippine bodies including the Department of Energy and the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority.
“By bringing together a dedicated internal working group, alongside global and local experts, we are undertaking a comprehensive assessment that considers the technical, financial, and regulatory realities of the Philippine setting,” said Felino Bernardo, MGEN head of strategic energy transition. “The study goes beyond identifying suitable technologies and potential sites. It will also build the technical capacity and decision-making frameworks that can support MGEN and our national stakeholders well beyond the completion of the study.”
This latest effort follows a memorandum of understanding signed in March with Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, aimed at strengthening nuclear development cooperation—covering reactor design, regulatory frameworks, workforce training, site selection and financial planning.
Taken together, these steps underscore Meralco’s systematic push to add nuclear energy to the country’s power options, offering a low-carbon alternative that could help stabilize supply and meet growing electricity demand for Filipino consumers and industries.
