FORGING STRATEGIC COLLABORATION FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY. Manila Electric Company (Meralco) inked a memorandum of cooperation with Electricité de France SA (EDF) to advance nuclear energy adoption in the Philippines. In photo are (L-R) Meralco vice president and head of Business Development Andrew Jason B. Tan, EDF senior vice president Vakisasai Ramany, Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, and Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho.
The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, has entered into a strategic partnership with Electricité de France SA (EDF), a state-owned French multinational electric utility, to assess the potential for nuclear energy development in the Philippines.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward for Meralco as we explore nuclear energy as a viable path toward enhancing the country’s energy security,” said Pangilinan, who serves as Meralco’s Chairman and CEO. “We are committed to playing a leadership role in advancing nuclear energy in the Philippines and look forward to a deeper collaboration with France on this front.”
Under a two-year memorandum of cooperation (MOC), EDF will support Meralco through technical and strategic guidance for a comprehensive feasibility study. This study will focus on site evaluation, power system integration, and the economic viability of incorporating nuclear power into the country’s energy mix.
In addition to the study, EDF will provide tailored training on nuclear reactor technologies and project management. The company will also assist Meralco in implementing a potential nuclear program in the Philippines and help identify possible funding avenues, including support from the French government.
“This is an important first step. Through meaningful engagement, we aim to make real progress on the ground,” said Vakisasai Ramany, EDF’s senior vice president for International Nuclear Development. “We see this as the beginning of a long-term journey—potentially one that could span the next century.”
This collaboration is part of Meralco’s broader Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) initiative. It builds upon ongoing partnerships with French academic and research institutions, including Université Paris-Saclay (UPS), to strengthen nuclear expertise in the Philippines.
Meralco and its training arm, the Meralco Power Academy (MPA), have partnered with UPS through the Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program. The initiative aims to develop the next generation of nuclear energy professionals by equipping Filipino engineers and scholars with advanced knowledge and skills.
Additionally, Meralco has been actively engaging with several French government and industrial institutions, including the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission, to further explore knowledge-sharing opportunities in nuclear energy.
As the Philippines’ largest electric distribution utility, Meralco continues to strengthen its global partnerships in pursuit of sustainable and secure energy solutions—positioning nuclear energy as a potential cornerstone of the nation’s future energy landscape.
