Philippines Senate Passes Nuclear Bill
The Philippines is charging toward a nuclear-powered future, with the Senate’s resounding approval of Senate Bill 2899 on June 9, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s energy ambitions. Passed with a unanimous 23-0 vote, this landmark legislation establishes a comprehensive legal framework to ensure the safe, peaceful use of nuclear energy while creating the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM). For a country grappling with soaring energy demands and a heavy reliance on coal, this move signals a transformative shift toward clean, reliable power to fuel economic growth and sustainability. But what does this mean for the Philippines, and what are the next steps to turn this vision into reality? As global interest in nuclear energy grows, the Philippines’ journey offers a compelling case for international stakeholders eager to tap into Southeast Asia’s emerging nuclear market.
A Nuclear Awakening in the Philippines
The Philippines, an archipelago of over 110 million people, faces an energy crunch as its economy grows and urbanization accelerates. Currently, coal accounts for over 60% of the nation’s power mix, but rising costs and environmental concerns have pushed the government to explore nuclear energy as a low-carbon solution. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the country aims to deploy 1.2 GW of nuclear capacity by 2032, with plans to scale up to 2.4 GW by 2035 and potentially 4.8 GW by 2050, according to the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2023-2050. The mothballed 621 MW Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, completed in 1984 but never operated due to safety concerns post-Chernobyl, serves as a reminder of past challenges. Today, the Marcos administration is reviving nuclear ambitions, focusing on modern technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet energy needs while aligning with net-zero goals. Senate Bill 2899 is the cornerstone of this vision, providing the legal backbone to regulate nuclear activities and ensure safety, making the Philippines an attractive destination for global nuclear investors.
Why Senate Bill 2899 Matters
Senate Bill 2899 is more than just a law—it’s a gateway to harnessing nuclear energy for diverse applications, from powering homes and industries to advancing medicine, agriculture, and scientific research. The bill ensures nuclear energy is used solely for peaceful purposes, explicitly prohibiting the development of nuclear explosives or radiological weapons. The newly established PhilATOM will have exclusive authority to regulate all nuclear and radiation activities, ensuring compliance with international safety standards set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). As the Philippines’ point of contact for nuclear and radiological emergencies, PhilATOM will strengthen ties with global partners, enhancing the country’s credibility on the world stage. The House of Representatives passed a similar bill in 2023, and with Senate approval, the legislation now moves toward finalization, positioning the Philippines as a rising player in Southeast Asia’s nuclear renaissance.
What’s Next for the Philippines’ Nuclear Program?
With Senate Bill 2899 approved, the Philippines stands at a critical juncture, but several key steps remain to transform this legal framework into operational nuclear power plants. First, the Senate and House versions of the bill must be reconciled in a bicameral conference committee to finalize the text, followed by approval from both chambers and President Marcos Jr.’s signature to enact the law. Once enacted, the government will establish PhilATOM, recruiting experts and building regulatory capacity to oversee licensing, safety protocols, and compliance with IAEA standards. The next phase involves conducting feasibility studies to identify suitable sites for nuclear plants, with potential locations like Bataan or new coastal sites under consideration, balancing seismic risks and public acceptance. The Philippines is also prioritizing workforce development, partnering with countries like South Korea and the U.S. to train engineers, regulators, and operators through programs like the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation and the U.S. FIRST Initiative. Financing remains a hurdle, with the government exploring public-private partnerships and international loans to fund the estimated $5-7 billion needed for the first 1.2 GW by 2032. Engaging communities through transparent communication campaigns will be crucial to address public skepticism, a lesson learned from the Bataan plant’s mothballing. Finally, the Philippines is eyeing partnerships with global nuclear vendors like South Korea’s KHNP, France’s EDF, and U.S.-based NuScale to deploy SMRs, with Meralco already conducting studies for a potential 1,200 MW SMR by 2032. These steps, if executed swiftly, could position the Philippines as a nuclear leader in ASEAN, attracting international investment and expertise.
A Global Opportunity
The Philippines’ nuclear push is part of a broader ASEAN trend, with the region targeting 22 GW of nuclear capacity by 2040 to meet a projected energy demand increase from 1.5 trillion to 2.3 trillion tonnes of oil equivalent. Senate Bill 2899’s passage signals to international stakeholders—vendors, investors, and policymakers—that the Philippines is open for business in a $50-70 billion nuclear market. As the country builds PhilATOM and advances feasibility studies, global companies have a unique opportunity to partner with utilities like Meralco and Aboitiz Power to deliver cutting-edge nuclear solutions.
These developments make Asia Nuclear Business Platform 2025, taking place December 9-11 in Jakarta and hosted by the National Energy Council of Indonesia (DEN), a timely platform. This regional conference will convene 200 global leaders to explore nuclear energy’s role in ASEAN’s sustainable future. Join us to shape the region’s energy landscape. Download the brochure for more information.
