KHNP, a subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and Korea’s largest power generator, brings decades of nuclear expertise, while KEXIM, the state-owned export credit and financing agency, will help explore funding options for potential nuclear projects in the Philippines.

The collaboration will support Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program through joint studies on reactor design, engineering, and regulatory frameworks. The partnership also aims to build local capability via training programs, employee exchanges, and technical knowledge-sharing initiatives to ensure long-term operational readiness.

Beyond technical expertise, the three organizations will work together on early-stage project development, including public acceptance programs, site selection studies, and project planning—key steps in assessing the feasibility of nuclear power in the Philippines.

Financial collaboration is also a focus. KEXIM will examine financing structures and credit facilities to support Meralco’s future nuclear projects alongside KHNP and other Korean partners.

“Nuclear energy offers the Philippines a way to diversify its power sources, strengthen energy security, and reduce vulnerability to fuel price fluctuations. Working with KHNP and KEXIM gives us access to global expertise and helps us study technology, business models, and financing options in detail. This MOU is a critical first step in our nuclear energy journey,” said Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Seven engineers from Meralco and its generation subsidiary Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen) are participating in the program: Rachelle Gesmundo-Varias, Regino Hibaler, Eljhon Capili, Keith Danae Suquib, Dennmarc Marcaida, Eljan Javellana, and Raymund Grant Pagulong.

Capili and Suquib recently left for Université Paris-Saclay in France to pursue a Master in Nuclear Engineering, while Gesmundo-Varias and Hibaler are already taking their Master of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering at Ontario Tech University in Canada. The remaining scholars, Marcaida, Javellana, and Pagulong, will begin studies at the KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School in South Korea in early 2026.

This expansion follows the pilot batch of five scholars who began their degrees in 2024 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States and Harbin Engineering University in China. Like their predecessors, the new scholars will undergo internships at global nuclear technology firms before returning to the Philippines to apply their expertise.

Through the FISSION program, the Meralco Power Academy (MPA) seeks to develop a pool of highly skilled Filipino nuclear engineers who will play a vital role in the country’s future nuclear energy development. MPA’s partnerships with leading universities provide scholars access to state-of-the-art nuclear laboratories, research on small and micro modular reactors (SMRs), and hands-on training with global nuclear technology companies.

The initiative supports Meralco’s broader Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, which aims to explore nuclear power as a low-carbon, long-term energy solution for the Philippines’ growing electricity needs.

“Through the FISSION program, we are investing in the future of energy by equipping Filipino engineers with the specialized knowledge and global experience needed in the country’s adoption of nuclear power,” said Ronnie L. Aperocho, Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This initiative reflects Meralco’s commitment to building a future-ready energy workforce and supporting the development of safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear energy for the Philippines.”

By developing local nuclear expertise, Meralco is helping position the Philippines to safely integrate nuclear power into its energy mix, contributing to the country’s energy security and decarbonization goals.