Nuclear experts assist DOE in Nuclear Policy Dev't

As part of determining a national position on the utilization of nuclear energy, the Department of Energy (DOE), National Power Corporation (NPC) and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) embarked on a pre-feasibility study to determine if the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) can be rehabilitated. The study was made with the assistance of Russia's atomic energy corporation Rosatom.

“Russian nuclear agency Rosatom provides the study for free as part of the cooperation between the Philippines and Russia,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi revealed on Thursday.

The study is an offshoot of the strengthened cooperation forged by the Philippine and Russian governments during the meeting of President Rodrigo Duterte and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last May.

The DOE's Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (Nepio) headed by DOE Undersecretary Donato Marcos will define the scope of work for the prefeasibility study.

"There will be six working groups with specific tasks and programs of activities that will form part of the said pre-feasibility study," Marcos said in a press conference at the NPC Nuclear Village in Bagac on Wednesday.

“These working groups have been established to undertake the study that will last for about two months starting firs t week of September,” according

“These working groups have been established to undertake the study that will last for about two months starting firs t week of September,” according to Usec. Marcos.

The Structure Stability Analysis Group focuses on selective visual and instrumental inspection, the estimation of their residual life and service life, listing of materials for repair and replacements and the assessment of facilities suitability level for operation.

The Functionality Analysis Group specializes in the instrumentation and control, electrical, mechanical and ventilation equipment, electrical parts/ cables and design.PIA