STRENGTHENING NUCLEAR ENERGY PUSH. Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has partnered with energy and tech firms in South Korea to strengthen its Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program. One of the highlights of Meralco’s recent trip to South Korea is the signing ceremony between Meralco Power Academy (MPA) and KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) to formalize its partnership on capacity building initiatives to strengthen the NEST program. Held at the KINGS campus in Ulsan, the event was led by (L-R) Meralco senior vice president and chief human resources officer Edgardo V. Carasig, Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie L. Aperocho, KINGS acting president Hak-Kyu Lim, and KINGS executive director of Office of Planning and External Affairs Soo-Jin Park.
The Philippines may soon be stepping into a new era of clean, reliable, and affordable power—thanks to Meralco’s strengthened push for nuclear energy. Led by business tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, Meralco is forging strong partnerships with South Korea, one of the world’s leaders in nuclear technology, to prepare the country for a future where electricity is not only cheaper but also more sustainable.
At the heart of this initiative is Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, which is designed to explore and develop nuclear power as a safe and long-term solution to the Philippines’ growing energy needs. For ordinary Filipinos, this could mean fewer power outages, lower electricity bills, and cleaner air for future generations.
Training the next generation of Filipino nuclear experts
To make sure the Philippines has the right expertise, Meralco—through its Meralco Power Academy (MPA)—signed a landmark deal with KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS) in South Korea. Starting March 2026, Filipino scholars under the FISSION (Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering) program will be sent to train at KINGS, where they’ll gain first-hand knowledge on nuclear operations, plant simulations, and reactor management.
This move ensures that the country won’t have to rely solely on foreign experts; instead, a new generation of world-class Filipino engineers will lead the way in building and managing nuclear facilities at home.
Exploring nuclear for cheaper and cleaner power
One of the most exciting parts of Meralco’s South Korea visit was its agreement with DL Engineering & Construction to study the deployment of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines. Unlike large, traditional nuclear plants, SMRs are compact, flexible, and ideal for powering off-grid communities—such as far-flung provinces and islands where electricity remains unreliable and expensive.
If successfully implemented, SMRs could significantly bring down electricity costs while ensuring round-the-clock power supply in places that currently suffer from frequent brownouts. For families, this means lower kuryente bills and a more stable power supply for everything from small businesses to online learning at home.
Bringing global best practices to the Philippines
Meralco also strengthened ties with South Korea’s biggest players in energy, including KEPCO, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), Samsung C&T, and LG Energy Solutions. These collaborations open doors for advancements in smart grid modernization, storm-proofing power lines, and large-scale energy storage systems—all crucial for a typhoon-prone country like the Philippines.
As Meralco executive vice president and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho explained, these partnerships aren’t just about new technology—they’re about ensuring that every Filipino household has access to cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy.
A future of energy security for Filipinos
Nuclear energy is often misunderstood, but in reality, it’s one of the cleanest and most reliable power sources in the world. Countries like South Korea, Japan, and France have successfully integrated nuclear into their energy mix, enjoying both stable supply and lower carbon emissions.
For the Philippines, embracing nuclear energy through Meralco’s NEST program could mean:
- Lower and more stable electricity prices for households and businesses
- Less dependence on imported coal and oil, which are vulnerable to global price hikes
- Stronger energy security, reducing the risk of power shortages
- A cleaner environment with reduced carbon emissions
In short, nuclear energy offers Filipinos the chance at a brighter, more sustainable future—one where families no longer have to worry about sky-high electricity bills or frequent blackouts.
With Meralco’s strong international partnerships and its vision for the future, the country may finally be on track to solving its decades-old power woes.