PH, Russia ink nuke technical aid deal

FILE: AMEM REPORTS: Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and delegates meet the press in concluding the 35th ASEAN Ministers Energy Meeting and Associated Meetings (AMEM35) at the Conrad Manila. In photo along with AMEM35 Chair and Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (center) are (L-R) ASEAN Center for Energy Executive Director Dr. Sanjayan Velautham, ASEAN Secretariat Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Community and Corporate Affairs AKP Mochtan PhD, AMEM35 Vice Chair and Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry S. Iswaran, and International Renewable Energy Agency Director General Adnan Amin. (Photo: asean2017.ph)

MANILA – Pursuing the technology-neutral approach to resilient energy, the Department of Energy (DOE) led by Secretary Alfonso Cusi and the Russian Federation State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) agreed on a nuclear cooperation program under a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) which was signed at the sidelines on Monday during the 12th East Asia Summit.

“The cooperation with Russia is part of the government’s intention to develop a variety of applications for nuclear energy that are within our policies particularly for power generation,” Cusi said.

Cusi also pointed out that through the MOC, the Philippines can benefit from the vast experience of Russia in the safe use of nuclear and emerging technologies for the purpose of power generation.

The undertakings in the MOC would support the Philippines in coming up with a national position and the crafting of a nuclear energy policy that may lead to a nuclear energy program.

Under the MOC, the Philippines and Russia agree to conduct studies on nuclear infrastructure and the audit and assessment on the condition of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) and possible options for its use or rehabilitation.

The MOC also allows both parties to conduct similar studies on nuclear power plants in general as may be deemed necessary and consistent with national energy development plans and policies of the Philippines.

Both the Philippines and Russia are part of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and are parties to the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

This cooperation will be implemented in the form of joint working groups to undertake specific projects, exchange of experts; workshops and training of personnel and sharing of technical information.

This MOC is good for 5 years with the option to be renewed for the same period unless one party notifies the other through diplomatic channels of either one’s intention to suspend or terminate the agreement.