In a bid to address the Philippines’ growing energy needs and reduce reliance on coal, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with Mohammed Al-Hammadi, CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. (ENEC), on Monday at Malacañang Palace. The discussion focused on the potential for nuclear energy to play a key role in the country’s future power generation strategy.
As the Philippines continues to grapple with frequent power outages and high electricity costs, the government is exploring alternative energy sources to ensure a stable and sustainable supply. The meeting with ENEC signals a serious consideration of nuclear energy as part of the country’s energy mix, a move that could help meet the projected demand for an additional 68 GW by 2040.
Marcos emphasized the importance of diversifying the country’s energy sources, stating that nuclear energy has become a high-priority topic for his administration. The President expressed optimism about forging a partnership with ENEC, which could pave the way for the Philippines to adopt nuclear power as a viable alternative to its coal-dominated energy sector.
ENEC, which manages the UAE’s Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, successfully launched the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in 2021, making the UAE the first Arab nation to operate a nuclear power facility. The potential collaboration between the Philippines and ENEC could mark a significant step towards a more sustainable and secure energy future for the Southeast Asian nation.