PH to accept nuclear plant licence applications by 2026

The country is also implementing efforts to boost its nuclear energy expertise.

The Philippines is targeting to begin accepting nuclear power plant license applications by 2026.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said during the Ministerial Session of the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris, France that this will be conducted under the newly established Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM), supporting the country’s target to integrate nuclear into its energy mix by 2032.

The Philippines has also implemented laws that will help the country achieve its goal. This includes the enactment of the Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act that provides a comprehensive framework for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear energy. This also established PhilATOM as an independent regulatory body tasked to ensure compliance with international safety and security standards.

Complementing this law is Department Circular No. DC2025-10-0019, which integrates nuclear energy into the national power generation mix and supports the PEP’s Clean Energy Scenario.

Garin said the Philippines also continues to advance its readiness for nuclear power development in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“The Follow-up Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Mission held in December 2024 commended the country’s progress in key areas such as human resource development, radiation protection, radioactive waste management, and emergency preparedness,” the department said.

“To build further capacity, the DOE and the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) have conducted workshops with the IAEA on financing nuclear power projects and benchmarking global best practices,” it added.