The Department of Energy (DOE) on Friday said the government is ramping up efforts to diversify the country’s energy sources.

“On the part of the Philippines, our Department of Energy is committed to work towards a sustainable future through a technology approach to clean alternative energy sources in order to provide greater energy security, stability, reliability and affordability for the country,” DOE Secretary Raphael Lotilla said during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) virtual roundtable discussion on Powering the Future: Exploring Nuclear and Emerging Technologies in APEC.

He said the diversification of energy sources also includes nuclear power.

“We remain steadfast in taking in calculated and scientific approach, and tapping nuclear energy is a long-term fuel option for power generation, given its technical and economic viability. In developing nuclear power for application, we continue to implement plans and programs to satisfy the competency requirements based on the milestone approach of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Lotilla said.

To recall, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier cited the need to re-examine the strategy towards nuclear power plants in the Philippines.

DOE is currently working with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) on the enabling policy framework for private sector participation in the nuclear power space.

The agency also earlier disclosed that the Nuclear Energy Program Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC) is reviewing the viability of nuclear power as an alternative source to meet the country’s energy demand.

Lotilla said Congress is also currently working on the legal and regulatory framework.

“For emerging technologies, we are also actively considering Hydrogen and its derivates, as promising and cleaner alternative energy carriers for the country as outlined in the Philippine Energy Plan 2020 – 2040,” he said.

The DOE is also in the process of developing a policy framework and guidelines for the integration of hydrogen within the energy sector.

Aside from these, Lotilla said there’s also an ongoing interest in co-firing of ammonia with existing coal-fired power plants.

The DOE is in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for the establishment of a fuel cell research and development and testing facility.

“With all these significant undertakings, rest assured that the Department of Energy of the Philippines will participate and initiate the Nuclear Energy and Emerging Technologies Program towards further enrichment in terms of the technical capacities and capabilities that form part of the programs,” he said.

“For nuclear, the deliverables of all the efforts shall form part of the finalization of our road map for completion this year,” Lotilla added. (PNA)