By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
With the Philippines eyeing to lead the renewable energy revolution in the Indo-Pacific and committed to collaboration, innovation, and shared economic development, Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has formally enlisted foreign universities as knowledge partners for its nuclear energy push.
Meralco signed memoranda of understanding (MOU) with North American institutions Ontario Tech University in Canada and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the United States.
The power distributor also visited China to sign MOU with Harbin Engineering University (HEU) and Tsinghua University. Both universities are partners of the China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas Ltd.
The partnerships with foreign universities aim to ensure provision of adequate knowledge on managing a nuclear power plant, including best practices in the study of nuclear energy. This will also enable the co-development and implementation of nuclear energy-related programs and conduct of joint research projects that will be beneficial to the adoption of alternative power source in the country.
“These milestone collaborations with reputable international institutions reinforce our commitment to explore the adoption of nuclear energy in the country. These partnerships will help us in having greater understanding of nuclear technologies, ensuring that challenges are addressed, and plans are well aligned with government policies prior to deployment,” Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Ronnie L. Aperocho said.
These also strengthen Meralco’s own nuclear energy program, through which the company also aims to equip Filipinos with expertise in the nuclear power industry.
Through Meralco Power Academy (MPA), the company in 2023 launched its Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program.
The first batch of FISSION scholars is set to start their three to four-year nuclear engineering program in the United States and China.
Meralco engineers Gener Atienza and Amiela Nicodemus will be studying in UIUC, while Marc Ceria, Justin Salas, and Kenneth Tulagan will be deployed to HEU.
The energy education unit of Meralco, MPA, together with the former Dean of Engineering of the University of the Philippines Dr. Aura Matias and Filipino-Canadian scientist from the Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Dr. Ike Dimayuga, shortlisted the top universities offering international graduate program on nuclear based on world-ranking, track record, access to nuclear energy laboratories, and ongoing research on small and micro modular reactors.
Upon the scholars’ return to the Philippines in 2028, they will be reintegrated into Meralco and be assigned to take on a role in its nuclear power generation unit.
“Through FISSION, we hope to cultivate the next generation of strong innovators in the field of nuclear energy,
empowering and further enhancing the competencies of energy professionals to advance sustainable energy solutions for the country,” Aperocho concluded.
