DOE considers transforming BNPP site into ‘data center’

IIf operation would eventually turn up as a viable track, then the government would need more comprehensive preparation on its ‘nuclear renaissance’ paradigm – starting from gaining public acceptance of the technology option, reviving the skill set of Filipino engineers and energy professionals on nuclear power operations to the f the idled Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) would eventually be rendered “inoperable,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi contends that the facility’s site could be transformed into a “data center.”

Nevertheless, he qualified that reviving the power plant would still be the primary target of the Duterte administration, hence, the Department of Energy (DOE) is advancing the conduct of a feasibility study to validate that propounded action.

When that fails, the department will move on to other plans. So far, Cusi is unrelenting about prospects of turning the BNPP site into a data center, although he has not given details yet of that plan.

“Don't forget the word ‘data center’,” he asserted; while telling reporters in jest that all the issues thrown against the BNPP shall also be part of the proposed data bank that will be set up in that site.

“We also need to bury all of those allegations and issues against the BNPP in that site,” he stressed, emphasizing that such should be part of the ‘closure’ that must be given to that energy behemoth.

The alternative plans, he further noted, would be to turn that area into a resort-hotel, theme park, library or even bomb shelter.

At this stage though, Cusi admitted that the government is still not giving up on its option of repowering the BNPP.

“That structure has been there the last 40 years. My point is: there have been a lot of issues raised against that project, but all of these allegations have already been answered by time…what I am saying is, there’s nothing we can do about those anymore, but we should find closure to it (BNPP’s fate),” he stressed.

Cusi opined had the BNPP project been operated, the Philippines may have been in a better place economically now compared to neighbor-countries – as it may not have gone through that ‘dark episode’ of a power crisis in the 1990s, which in turn had crippled the country’s economy.

“Don’t you think it’s a crime against the country? If that plant was operated then, our energy landscape and our economic landscape would not have been like this. We should have been better than our neighbors because electricity is a very important factor in a country’s development,” he said.

The DOE has just secured R50-million allocation on its proposed feasibility study to ascertain BNPP”s future pathway – whether to advance it to rehabilitation and eventual commissioning or to shut it down for good. crafting of policy and regulatory frameworks.

Experts have noted that priority in nuclear power program – more than addressing external factors on safety and security issues – would be on building up human resource on knowledge and technical expertise on nuclear technologies.