“Drivers & Barriers in Reopening the Nuclear Powerplant in Bataan, Philippines”
By: Christopher F. Mesina
The power demand of the country (Philippines) gradually increasing. Based on the [1] Statista Research Department as published this year last 3rd of January, in the year 2021 the Philippines total peak power demand reached to 16.04 megawatts. This quantification registered as higher than the power demand this past few years except a slight decrease in the year 2020.
Due to this increasing demand of power, how about reconsidering the revival of BNPP (Bataan Nuclear Power Plant) in the country? What could be the drivers and barriers in this matter? But first, what is BNPP?
BNPP or Bataan Nuclear Power Plant is the first Nuclear Power Plant in Southeast Asia and a promising solution to the 1973 oil crisis that affected the Philippine and the global economy. Due to unexpected happenings, the Chernobyl accident and was followed by the political events in the Philippines operational changes also happened. When Mrs. Aquino became the president of the country, almost everything associated with the former president Marcos were denied and rejected including the BNPP which was completed, fully constructed and equipped nuclear power plant. After those events, the plant was in “preservation mode”. But around year 90s and skyrocketing prices of oil in 2007, there was a clamor of reopening the plant [2].
In reopening the Bataan Power Plant has been a controversial topic for many years, with environmentalists and local communities raising serious concerns about the potential environmental, health and social impacts of the plant. The plant is a coal-fired power plant, which means it emits large amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, including sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These pollutants can cause serious health problems such as asthma, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses. Additionally, the plant is located in an area that is prone to earthquakes and typhoons in fact the Philippines belong to countries inside the pacific ring of fire, which could result in a major disaster if the plant were to be damaged.
Also, the public perception towards nuclear power were also tainted some sensational incidents such as the 2011 incidents in Japan in which Fukushima Daiichi Accident happened. “The accident was rated level 7 on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale, due to high radioactive releases over days 4 to 6” and the official figures that 2313 death related cases of evacuees and 19,500 added deaths and killed during tsunami and earthquakes [3]. That incident creates global panic, safety concerns and nuclear power plant integrity were tainted by those unfortunate scenes and setbacks.
Furthermore, reopening the plant would require a large amount of water to be used, which could put a strain on the local water supply. This could be especially problematic if the water is already being used for agricultural purposes. Additionally, there is the potential for hazardous waste to be released into the environment, which could contaminate local water sources and the food supply. In terms of financial aspect, yes it can bring much profits to the country but the investment in this powerplant were big and much in reviving and as per the country’s economic state right now it is a big quest in investing this nuclear program specially considering the cost of reactors in operating and energizing the plant, its repair, man power, maintenance and more.
On the other hand, reopening the plant could also have an impact on the increasing demand of power in the country and also local economy. The plant was closed down in the 1990s, and the local economy has been struggling ever since. Reopening the plant could provide much-needed jobs and economic growth, but it could also displace local businesses that are dependent on the land and resources of the area. This could be the driver/solution of the high rate population and demand power of the country, and the oil-fuel prices now.
In conclusion, reopening the Bataan Power Plant could bring economic and employment benefits to the local area not only locally but also nationally. The power demand will be solved and the county’s economy will boost. But there are also many potential drawbacks/setbacks that must be considered, including environmental, health, financial and social impacts. It is important to weigh all of these factors before making a final decision on the plant's future. If I were being asked in reopening the BNPP I will agree but the big quest is, if the BNPP will revive CAN WE MAINTAIN THE NUCLEAR POWERPLANT not just for months but for LONG TERM purposes?
References
[1] “Total peak power demand in the Philippines from 2012 to 2021” https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251576/philippines-peak-electrical-demand/?fbclid=IwAR3HHSQbdjqjT5Rdu3dAEBy01beH1XssTPhQq_47TgMNzo4OkCDK2XIANzY#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20the%20total%20peak,demand%20in%20the%20previous%20year
[2] “The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines: A Nuclear Plant, and a Dream, Fizzles” https://energycentral.com/c/pip/bataan-nuclear-power-plant-philippines-nuclear-plant-and-dream-fizzles?fbclid=IwAR2CUjwbf6Oq0e78Z1LLE-75jYn9Ky_FUCaqDrtAnL8CDplrzdvZki1KnpM
“Nuclear Power in the Philippines” https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-o-s/philippines.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1b73djGKNSE2LmryuBNKRqf73xWYfnyp88GCbQychdGYxvzzIyPJbGvsg
[3] “Fukushima Daiichi Accident” https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-daiichi-accident.aspx
[4] “Images of BNNP” https://www.hydrogenambassadors.com/aae/bataan/nuclear_power_plant.html
https://www.ivanhenares.com/2015/05/visit-bataan-nuclear-power-plant-in.html
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