The global push for nuclear energy in the Philippines received a significant boost this week, with the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) pledging a new technical cooperation mechanism to help the nation achieve its ambitious 2032 energy goals.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, following a substantive meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., announced the agency’s commitment to systematically guide the Philippines in identifying and adopting suitable nuclear systems, particularly citing advanced technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs).
“We are going to establish mechanisms for further cooperation between our technical experts and the experts here, so we can make this more systematic in a certain sense and see what is more adaptable,” Grossi said. He noted that President Marcos is “very enthusiastic” and well-informed about new nuclear developments, providing an “excellent basis” for progress.
The commitment directly supports the Philippines’ target to have commercially operational nuclear power plants by 2032, initially aiming for 1,200 megawatts and gradually scaling up to 4,800 megawatts by 2050 to diversify its power mix.
Beyond energy, the visit highlighted the “wider peaceful applications” of nuclear science, particularly in addressing the country’s critical problem of plastic waste. Grossi and President Marcos co-led the opening of the International High Level Forum on Nuclear Technology (NUTEC) Plastics, bringing together global investors and officials to explore radiation technologies for recycling difficult plastics.
As one of nine pilot countries, the Philippines is showcasing its innovative Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion (PREx) Prototype House, a first-of-its-kind structure. The project, led by the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI), uses electron beam irradiation to modify low-value, mixed plastic waste, allowing it to be processed into durable construction
materials like tiles, bricks, and structural panels.
During the conference, the IAEA also signed a new agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to deepen the bank’s technical understanding of nuclear power, a move intended to help countries in the region secure financing and expertise necessary to meet their growing energy demands through nuclear power.