The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, is exploring strategic partnerships with top nuclear energy institutions in France to advance its nuclear energy initiatives. This move is part of the company’s nuclear energy strategic transition (NEST) program, which aims to integrate nuclear power into the Philippines’ energy mix.
Meralco, alongside the Meralco Power Academy (MPA), recently visited Université Paris-Saclay (UPS) and several key French nuclear research organizations, including Électricité de France, the Institute for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. The discussions focused on potential collaborations in capacity building, knowledge sharing, and training programs for the next generation of nuclear energy professionals.
Notably, Meralco is tapping UPS for its Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program, which will help develop Filipino talent in the nuclear energy sector. Through FISSION, Meralco plans to send scholars to UPS starting next year, aiming to enhance the competencies of Filipino energy professionals and foster innovation in nuclear energy.
The delegation, which included Meralco executive vice president and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho, senior vice president Edgardo V. Carasig, and MPA executive director Ian Chester V. Colorina, met with key figures from UPS, including Professor Anne-Lise Gloanec, who coordinates the university’s nuclear energy program, and Filipino alumni working in the field.
Through these collaborations, Meralco’s NEST initiative seeks to ensure that nuclear energy in the Philippines meets global safety, sustainability, and economic standards, furthering the company’s commitment to a reliable, sustainable energy future for the country.
