EVEN AS the country keeps its doors open to the possible tapping of nuclear-energy sources and technical assistance offered by neighboring Asean countries on the development of nuclear energy in the Philippines, the government would still rather develop its renewable-energy sources before it taps the use of nuclear-energy sources, Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes said Monday.

“We want a balanced energy mix that’s independent and sourced from indigenous energy sources,” the energy chief said in the light of Korea Electric Power Corp.’s (Kepco) offer to provide assistance to the Philippine government in determining and developing the use of nuclear sources in the country.

Reyes admitted that nuclear-energy sources have advantages and disadvantages, and one of its advantages is that it is a very stable source of baseload in terms of quality and quantity over a long period.

But he added that one of its disadvantages there are issues needed to be threshed out in terms of nuclear waste and the aversion of people to nuclear energy.

“Nevertheless, nuclear is something we have to look into and to keep our options open. We just have to study first the supply-and-demand situation and to whether, in fact, we have to allow energy sources from nuclear to kick in,” he said.

Reyes said that what the country needs to avert is that there should be no power shortages that should be avoided at all costs.

As much as possible, Reyes said, the government wants to develop the country’s renewable sources of energy but if it would not suffice, it would only be then that the country would have to consider going nuclear.

“Rest assured the government will not go into this direction if it is not safe and if technology is not up to our standards,” Reyes said.

He added that the government also targets to accelerate the renewable-energy program in view of the volatility in imported fuel sources such as oil and coal, which is causing a lot of problems to consumers.

Reyes said there is a need to shift toward the use of indigenous renewable sources of energy, and that the government will exhaust all possible means in this direction.

“Unless additional capacities are built, based on our projections, the country may experience a power shortage in the next three to four years,” said Reyes.

The energy chief assured consumers that the DOE is finalizing its projections.

Reyes committed that they will have their final recommendations submitted to President Arroyo by next week.

Reyes said that the DOE has even endorsed 10 energy-related Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in a bid to encourage development of renewable-energy sources in the country.

To date, according to Reyes, the DOE has endorsed 10 projects under the CDM that include four biomass projects; one wind project; two waste-treatment plant projects; two  hyroelectric-power-plant projects; and one geothermal power-plant project.

Reyes said the total greenhouse-gas reduction for the 10 projects has been estimated at 682,130 tons of carbon dioxide.

The DOE has the 33-megawatt (MW) Northwind Bangui Bay Project in Ilocos Norte; the 20-MW Nasulo Geothermal Project in Negros Oriental; Tanduay Distillers Inc.’s 15-MW Watewater Treatment facility in Batangas; the 8-MW San Carlos Renewable Project in Negros Occidental; the 1-MW Sipangpang Mini Hydropower Project in Surigao del Sur; First Farmers Holdings Corp.’s 8-MW to 12-MW Bagasse Cogeneration Plant in Negros Occidental; Philippine Sinter Corp.’s Cooler Waste Heat Recovery Project in Misamis Oriental; the 42.5-MW Hedcor Sibulan Hydropower Project in Davao del Sur; FR Cement Corp.’s Replacement of Fossil Fuel by Rice Husk Biomass in Rizal; and Quezon City’s Biogas Emission Reduction Project.

The CDM is a flexible mechanism developed under the Kyoto Protocol, wherein a developed country can invest in various abatement projects in a host developing country and, in so doing, receive credits for the carbon emission reductions resulting from the project.   

Reyes said the activities and projects eligible in the energy sector include renewable-energy development, alternative-fuels utilization, and energy-efficiency improvements.

“Greenhouse-gas reduction may not now appear substantial. But the country is gradually building momentum and intends to maximize its potential for generating some of the resources needed to extensively develop clean and renewable-energy sources in the country,” said Reyes.

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EVEN AS the country keeps its doors open to the possible tapping of nuclear-energy sources and technical assistance offered by neighboring Asean countries on the development of nuclear energy in the Philippines, the government would still rather develop its renewable-energy sources before it taps the use of nuclear-energy sources, Energy Secretary Angelo T. Reyes said Monday.

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