The Department of Energy is moving forward with the proposed framework that will govern the Philippines’ first-ever nuclear power procurement, following the completion of initial consultations with stakeholders. The revised draft establishes clear requirements for bidding, grid integration, pricing, and regulatory responsibilities, marking a key step toward introducing nuclear energy into the country’s power mix starting in 2032.
The updated draft incorporates feedback from industry and other stakeholders, with provisions designed to ensure grid readiness alongside clear delivery schedules and regulatory standards. Tender volumes will take into account grid feasibility, connection points, transmission infrastructure, and system synchronization to ensure new nuclear capacity can be reliably integrated. Procurement will proceed in stages, with delivery timelines aligned with site development, technology selection, financing, licensing, and grid preparation to match the longer build timelines typical of nuclear projects.
A critical clarification in the framework is that winning a bid does not grant permission to construct or operate a nuclear facility. The Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, or PhilATOM, retains full authority over all safety and regulatory matters including siting, construction, commissioning, and operation, while the Department of Energy will administer the competitive bidding process. Pricing guardrails are also set: bids exceeding the established price ceiling will be disqualified, with the Energy Regulatory Commission responsible for determining price thresholds, reserve prices, and tariff ranges for each tender round.
Consultations remain ongoing, with inputs from the second round of public review being evaluated before final guidelines are issued. The government targets 1,200 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2032, rising to 2,400 megawatts by 2035 and 4,800 megawatts by 2050.
In a separate announcement, the Department of Energy confirmed it has maintained its ISO 50001:2018 certification for energy management systems, achieving a 27 percent reduction in electricity use and 35 percent cut in fuel consumption—far surpassing the government’s 10 percent efficiency target. These results follow upgrades to lighting and air-conditioning, improved vehicle management, and wider adoption of conservation practices across the agency. Future plans include installing smart meters, rolling out a Building Energy Management System, and gradually transitioning the official vehicle fleet to electric vehicles. “Our experience shows what government can achieve when energy efficiency becomes part of daily practice,” said Energy Secretary Sharon Garin. “We lead by example to encourage more institutions to follow suit.”
