Tag: electricity

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

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Hitachi Energy Ltd. – a global leader in energy technology and electrification – announced yesterday that it will invest almost $530 million to construct a transformer manufacturing plant in the state of Mississippi in the United States, according to a news article by Jiji Press. The investment is to help meet the rising power demand as the use artificial intelligence (AI) keeps on rising.

Hitachi Energy Ltd. is the energy arm of the Hitachi Group with over a century of innovation, and a long list completed projects that helped people for their access to dependable energy.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Hitachi Energy Ltd. said Wednesday that it will invest 528 million dollars to build a transformer manufacturing plant in Mississippi to meet surging U.S. power demand amid wider use of artificial intelligence.

The Swiss unit of Hitachi Ltd. expects the plant to more than double its production capacity compared with an existing transformer plant in Mississippi. Construction of the new plant will begin later this year, with production scheduled to start in 2029.

The new plant will be “the cornerstone” of Hitachi Energy’s 1.5-billion-dollar U.S. investment plan, the company said.

In September last year, Hitachi Energy said it would invest 1 billion dollars in the United States. It later expanded the plan as Japan pledged to make 550 billion dollars in investment and loans to the United States as part of a bilateral trade agreement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider this new investment by Hitachi a crucial one in relation to the rising demand for power in the United States? Are you hoping that the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Japan will create economic and energy breakthroughs for Americans in the near future?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines Electricity The Most Expensive In ASEAN

Philippines Electricity The Most Expensive In ASEAN

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Due to the low supply of electricity and the high demand recorded this past June, the Philippines had the most expensive electricity rates among member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a news report by GMA News.

Be reminded that the Philippines is experiencing weak economic growth, high inflation, and has been weak when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment. Could imagine how foreign investors would react to the expensive electricity here in the Philippines?

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the GMA News report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines had the most expensive electricity rates among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in June due to low supply and high demand recorded during the month, the Department of Energy (DOE) reported Monday.

According to DOE Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, the country reported an average rate of P12.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in June, surpassing that of Singapore by P0.093 per kilowatt-hour.

“Sa Visayas, siya talaga ‘yung pinakamahal dahil talagang may kakulangan tayo sa supply doon. Meron tayong 21 plants na naka-forced outage and therefore, dependent siya talaga sa Luzon at sa Mindanao for imported power,” she said in a virtual briefing.

(Visayas was really the most expensive because there was really a lack of supply there. There are 21 plants on forced outage, and therefore, it is really dependent on imported power from Luzon and Mindanao.)

“Alam niyo naman, naka-yellow alert sila palagi (As you know, they have been on yellow alert regularly) since May 13, and that is the one that is driving the price high for Visayas,” she added.

The Visayas grid has been on yellow alert — indicating that the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement — for several days in June, due to the continued forced outage of major coal plants in the region.

Among the outages recorded were Therma Visayas Inc. (TVI) units 1 and 2 and Panay Energy Development Corp. (PEDC).

“For the rest… Meron kasi din tayong mga matataas na demand during the summer months, and therefore we have to operate the more expensive power plants. Imbes na mag-blackout, paandarin na lang ‘yung mga medyo mahal na plant,” Guevara said.

(For the rest… Demand was also high during the summer months, and therefore, we have to operate the more expensive power plants. Instead of blackouts, we ran more expensive plants.)

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think must be done to ensure abundant electricity for the Filipinos? Are you convinced now is the time for the government of the Philippines to go all-in on nuclear power? How much was your electric bill this past June?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

America’s Pax Silica Prompts P7 Billion Power Expansion In New Clark City

America’s Pax Silica Prompts P7 Billion Power Expansion In New Clark City

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Pax Silica – the United States’ Pax Silica flagship effort on artificial intelligence (AI) and supply chain security that includes the Philippines – prompted the P7 billion investment of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) to ensure a stable power supply for New Clark City in Tarlac province, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Manila Bulletin report. Some parts in boldface…

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) plans to invest nearly ₱7 billion in a dedicated substation to guarantee a stable power supply for New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, anticipating a surge in demand from a planned artificial intelligence (AI) industrial hub.

Joshua Bingcang, president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), said the investment promotion agency is currently in talks with NGCP to finalize the project’s details. The grid operator is drafting the alignment plan for the substation, which Bingcang noted should be finalized “soon.”

“Our target with them is by [the] end of 2028, the dedicated power connection should be already installed in New Clark City,” he told reporters last week.

Bingcang added that the BCDA initially offered to fund the project to jump-start construction, with NGCP reimbursing the agency later. However, NGCP declined the offer because the substation is already integrated into its capital expenditures.

Under its Transmission Development Plan 2024 to 2050, NGCP outlined plans to construct the Capas 230-kilovolt (kV) substation to meet the growing power needs of the emerging metropolis. According to the plan, NGCP will allocate ₱6.95 billion to develop the facility.

To facilitate the project, Bingcang said the BCDA is offering land along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) to ensure an unimpeded route for the transmission line into New Clark City. Once operational, the substation is expected to give locators in the AI hub the confidence to manufacture high-value inputs without risking operational pauses due to power shortages.

The AI hub will span more than 1,600 hectares within New Clark City as part of the United States-led Pax Silica partnership, which aims to encourage investment among member countries to bolster the global AI supply chain.

To meet the site’s massive energy requirements, Bingcang said the BCDA expects a foreign investor to build a solar energy project capable of generating up to 500 megawatts. Furthermore, the agency is drafting plans for an embedded power plant to secure baseload power and enhance the hub’s overall energy reliability.

In a separate interview with Business 360, Bingcang disclosed that the BCDA is also negotiating with US investors to construct a dedicated pipeline to transport jet fuel from Subic Bay to Clark International Airport, supporting the logistics needs of companies within the AI hub. The agency is also exploring a separate pipeline along SCTEX to deliver fuel or liquefied natural gas.

Additionally, the BCDA is advancing a public-private partnership (PPP) project for New Clark City’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. According to a bid bulletin published by the PPP Center, the agency aims to conclude the procurement process for a joint venture partner to lay fiber-optic cables across the city by August.

Bingcang noted that all of these infrastructure projects were requested by the US during preliminary talks for the AI hub. Following a visit to the 1,600-hectare site last week, the US will send engineering personnel next month to conduct a site assessment and design a concept plan for the industrial zone.

“Parallel to these technical studies, we will also finalize the commercial arrangement and contractual framework for the project. Within the year, we will be announcing a definitive contract arrangement [with the US],” Bingcang said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think Pax Silica will prompt further infrastructure and energy developments related with New Clark City as the initiative develops further? Do you think there is room for nuclear power to considered in the years to come?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Steady Supply Of Coal From Indonesia For The Philippines Assured

Steady Supply Of Coal From Indonesia For The Philippines Assured

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As the Philippines is struggling with very expensive fuel prices, Indonesia assured the government that there will be a steady supply of coal for the country’s energy needs, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

Indonesia has assured the Philippines of a steady supply of coal, the Philippine energy minister said on Tuesday.

“We have assurance, and we are good partners,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin told a news briefing.

The Philippines plans to temporarily increase coal-fired generation amid energy pressures, Ms. Garin said.

The country’s fuel supply remains manageable and the government is working to procure 1 million barrels of oil from countries within and outside Southeast Asia to build its buffer stock. The Philippines has around 45 days of fuel supply based on current consumption levels, Ms. Garin said.

The Philippines has Southeast Asia’s most coal-dependent power grid.

After ramping up LNG-fired generation, Manila was poised in 2025 for its first decline in coal power in nearly two decades, but rising LNG costs are forcing it to turn back to coal.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think coal is a good solution to ensure a stable supply of energy all over the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippines January 2026 Inflation Rate Lands At 2%

Philippines January 2026 Inflation Rate Lands At 2%

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The inflation rate of the Philippines for the month of January 2026 landed at 2% which is the highest in almost a year’s time, according to a news report by BusinessWorld.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

PHILIPPINE INFLATION accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly a year in January amid a faster rise in rents and electricity rates, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported.

Headline inflation picked up to 2% from 1.8% in December but slowed from 2.9% in the same month last year. This was the fastest pace seen in 11 months or since 2.1% in February 2025.

It also marked the first time in almost a year that the consumer price index (CPI) hit the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 2%-4% target.

The January clip was likewise above the 1.8% median forecast in a BusinessWorld poll of 18 economists but was within the central bank’s 1.4%-2.2% estimate for the month.

“The main reason for the higher inflation rate in January 2026 compared with December 2025 is the faster price increase in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which recorded a 3.3% inflation rate,” National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said at a news briefing on Thursday.

Inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels quickened to 3.3%, the fastest since 3.8% in August 2024.

According to the PSA, this commodity group had a 45.9% share in the overall inflation uptick in January.

Broken down, inflation for electricity rose to 6.5% year on year in January from the revised 4% in December, while rental prices picked up by 2.9% during the month from 2.4% in December.

This comes even after Manila Electric. Co. trimmed electricity rates by 16.37 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to P12.9508 per kWh last month from P13.1145 per kWh in December, which meant households consuming an average of 200 kWh paid P33 less in their monthly electricity bill.

In January 2025, Meralco charged P11.7428 per kWh.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the government is enforcing programs to manage price pressures emerging from the energy sector. It includes improving the Department of Energy’s Net Metering Program by enforcing time-bound local permitting, simplifying utility documentary requirements and expanding consumer incentives.  

“The program allows consumers to install eligible renewable energy systems and export surplus electricity to the grid, helping lower electricity costs and support the energy transition,” the DEPDev said in a statement.

Mr. Mapa also noted that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) added price pressures, as inflation settled at -2.8% in January from -5.1% in December.

In January, Petron Corp. hiked LPG prices by P2.18 per kilogram (kg), while Solane imposed a P2.18-per-kg increase.

This means that the price of a household-standard 11-kg LPG tank ranged from P820 to P1,120 last month, based on data from the Department of Energy.  

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the inflation rate of the Philippines could rise to as much as 3% this year? What do you think will be the factors – both internal and external – that will cause the inflation rate to spike?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Solar Philippines Faces P24 Billion In Penalties Over Failure To Fulfill Renewable Energy Commitments

Solar Philippines Faces P24 Billion In Penalties Over Failure To Fulfill Renewable Energy Commitments

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Remember back in 2024 when the government canceled multiple contracts it previously awarded to Solar Philippines as a result of its failure to fulfill the energy commitments? Solar Philippines is back in the spotlight and it is facing P24 billion in penalties over terminated contracts and the Department of Energy (DOE) revealed a lot about the company, according to a BusinessWorld news report.

The government terminated more than 160 renewable energy service contracts which represent a combined potential capacity of 17,904.02 megawatts (MW). Of that amount, Solar Philippines accounted for about 64% of the terminated solar projects as announced by the DOE Secretary Sharon Garin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

SOLAR PHILIPPINES Power Project Holdings, Inc. is facing P24 billion in fines for its failure to deliver nearly 12,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy (RE) over the last two years, according to the Department of Energy (DoE).

“Out of the 17,904 MW of terminated contracts for 2025 and 2024… Solar Philippines would be 11,427 MW. That’s more or less equivalent to 64% of the terminated contracts,” Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin said in a press chat on Tuesday.

Ms. Garin said the DoE terminated 33 service contracts held by Solar Philippines, a company founded by businessman-turned-politician Rep. Leandro L. Leviste, due to project delays. These service contracts could have supplied 11,427.83 MW of capacity to the grid.

The DoE said it seeks to collect around P24 billion in penalties from Solar Philippines which covers contractual obligations, performance bonds and financial obligations arising from the revoked contracts.

“We have consistently sent notices even show-cause orders request for them to renew their bonds. We have not received any response from the company,” she said.

Sought for comment, Mr. Leviste has yet to respond as of press time.

The DoE said it has recorded nearly 18,000 MW worth of potential capacity from 163 terminated and relinquished service contracts Ms. Garin said that 70 contracts were terminated and relinquished in 2024 and 93 contacts in 2025.

These terminated and relinquished contracts were composed of hydro, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass that were awarded after application and green energy auctions (GEAs).

“This could have covered actually the annual increase of our electricity demand in the country. Unfortunately, we had to cancel these contracts. They’re not complying with the requirements and in accordance with their GEA contract. This is why we had to cancel them because they really wouldn’t move,” Ms. Garin said.

Under the revised omnibus guidelines governing the award and administration of RE contracts issued in 2024, the Renewable Energy Management Bureau can recommend termination of the contract if the RE developer failed to secure and submit needed requirements.

The RE developer has 30 calendar days to explain in writing why its contract should not be terminated. The developer whose RE contract was terminated may request for reconsideration.

Ms. Garin said that the revoked contracts will be open to other developers who are interested to apply or through the open and competitive selection process (OCSP).

OCSP allows the DoE to award RE contracts in pre-determined areas through competitive bidding. These are locations identified as having high potential for RE development, including hydro, geothermal, and wind resources.

Ms. Garin said that terminating contracts is not to “scare off investors” but to make sure “we have the right investors” in the Philippines.

“What we want are really legitimate investors that have the financial, technical, and legal capacity to embark on a contract and an energy project in the Philippines. This is why we are cleaning it up,” Ms. Garin said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the renewable energy sector of the Philippines really lacks legitimate investors who actually have the financial, technical, and legal capacity to embark on contracts of energy projects? Are you surprised that Solar Philippines failed to fulfill the energy commitments? If you are an investor, do you trust Solar Philippines?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Meralco Plans Key Study With USTDA This Quarter

Meralco Plans Key Study With USTDA This Quarter

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Philippines energy giant Meralco revealed that it intends to start a crucial study with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) within the first quarter this year, according to a BusinessWorld news report. The topic of the study is the adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs).

For the newcomers reading this, Meralco is the most notable private entity in the Philippines with strong interest on nuclear power. To learn more about them and their nuclear pursuit, click here and here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of BusinessWorld. Some parts in boldface…

MANILA ELECTRIC CO. (Meralco) plans to begin a study with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on the adoption of small modular reactors (SMR) within the first quarter, the company said in a disclosure to the local bourse on Monday.

“The study is expected to commence during the first quarter and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter this year,” it said.

The power distributor is set to issue a request for proposal this month to select a contractor that will conduct the feasibility study.

Meralco earlier secured a $2.7-million (P160 million) grant from USTDA to fund the assessment of SMR deployment in the Philippines.

The initiative forms part of Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, under which the company has been carrying out pre-feasibility work and partnership discussions to evaluate nuclear technologies suitable for local conditions.

The study supports the Department of Energy’s (DoE) goal of incorporating at least 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power into the country’s energy mix by 2032 as part of efforts to diversify supply and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Starting in April, Meralco said it would begin identifying potential sites suitable for SMR facilities, in coordination with government agencies such as the DoE and Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. Site selection will consider technical, environmental and regulatory factors.

SMRs are designed to generate up to 300 MW each and can be built in a shorter timeframe compared with conventional large-scale nuclear power plants. Proponents say their smaller size and modular construction could allow more flexible deployment.

Aside from the technical study, Meralco said it would carry out stakeholder engagement and consultations, capability-building initiatives and support work related to the country’s legal and regulatory frameworks governing nuclear energy.

By the fourth quarter, the company expects to produce a shortlist of potential sites for submission to the DoE and Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, the recently established independent regulator overseeing nuclear and radiation-related activities.

“The NEST program is in its preparatory phase, thus no material impact is expected on the company’s business, operations, and financials at this juncture,” Meralco said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you hopeful that Meralco’s planned study with the USTDA will lead to progress to achieving nuclear energy in the Philippines within the next few years? Are members of your local community aware about the current move of the country towards nuclear power?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

IAEA Director General Says Philippines Is At The Right Moment For Push To Nuclear Energy

IAEA Director General Says Philippines Is At The Right Moment For Push To Nuclear Energy

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Recently the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited the Philippines, met with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., and revealed to the press that the nation is at the right moment to start the push for nuclear energy, according to a Manila Bulletin news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines is at the “right moment” to begin pushing for nuclear energy use amid its aim to achieve energy security and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels like coal, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi made this remark during the International High Level Forum on Nuclear Technology (NUTEC) Plastics in Pasay City on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

He underscored that the Philippines is not new to nuclear power.

“Let’s go a little bit back in history. Your country was a pioneer long, long, long before any other countries in this region and in the world were looking at nuclear energy. But the reality is that I like to say that the Philippines is not a newcomer, it’s a revisiting country,” he said in a press conference.

“It’s a country that is reviewing, taking into account its technological capacities, what was being done here in the late 70s, early 80s, and considering that it is perhaps the right moment, as many other countries in the world, to avail itself of a notion of a clean energy that is providing solutions in many parts of the world. Why not here?,” he added.

The Philippines, during the time of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., once attempted to build a nuclear power plant in Bataan. While it was completed, it was never operated because of safety concerns, political issues, and corruption allegations.

Grossi said that what the Philippines is doing today with its nuclear energy push is “extremely important,” adding that small- or big-sized nuclear projects are significant and require initial capital investment.

He also noted that banks and international financial institutions in the past have turned their backs on nuclear power plants because of their “bad image.”

“But with passage of time and the safety record of nuclear and the ability to demonstrate by the industry that banks are a conservative, of course, in what they finance, there has been an important change which was initiated earlier this year when I signed with the president of the World Bank a similar agreement,” he shared.

“So, when the World Bank sent this, you know how it happens in the economy in general, when they sign from the leading institutions, the leading financing institutions in the world that there is no problem, basically, there is really no problem, no technical problem, no fundamental problem in financing nuclear,” he added.

The IAEA director pointed out that with China, India, and Pakistan, Asia “and in particular this region, is the most dynamic in terms of nuclear growth in the world.”

Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia, he cited, are also starting their own nuclear programs, as well as African countries that need grants and loans for their own nuclear push.

“People talk about the exponential growth of renewable energy, which is a very good thing, I must say. I am very positive about renewable energies,” Grossi asserted, lamenting the lack of subsidies and access to finance in the past.

“So, I believe that we are entering now a new phase. We will see how far it goes, we will see how fast it goes, but it is clearly, in my opinion, a watershed that has happened. Very important. So, it’s a very good day in that sense,” he added.

The IAEA official also met with President Marcos on Tuesday during a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.

Grossi, who assumed office in 2019, is on his first official visit to the Philippines for the International High-Level Forum on Nuclear Technology for Controlling Plastic Pollution (NUTEC Plastics): Scaling Solutions and Partnerships for Global Impact.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you convinced that the Philippines is ready to move forward by using nuclear power for the nation’s energy requirements?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Uninterrupted power supply on Election Day promised

Uninterrupted power supply on Election Day promised

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With the 2025 National and Local Elections all set for May 12, the Energy Task Force on Election (ETFE) gave its assurance to the public that uninterrupted power will be done, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of the PNA. Some parts in boldface…

The Energy Task Force on Election (ETFE), led by the Department of Energy (DOE), has assured the public of uninterrupted power supply nationwide during the May 12 midterm polls.

In a virtual briefing Monday, DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the energy sector is “fully prepared” to provide stable electricity and fuel throughout the voting, transmission, and canvassing periods.

“We assure the public that the energy sector is fully prepared to ensure an unimpeded power supply before, during, and after the elections,” Fuentebella said.

“Contingency plans are in place, and we are in constant coordination with security agencies to help ensure a smooth and secure election process,” he added.

The ETFE, a multi-agency body led by the DOE, works closely with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and security forces, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection to ensure a smooth and credible elections.

Since January, the task force has held regular coordination meetings and inspections to assess readiness and implement contingency plans, while field personnel have conducted maintenance on transmission lines, polling stations, and backup systems, especially in remote and off-grid areas.

The DOE official said the energy sector has mapped out priority areas and is monitoring potential vulnerabilities, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao.

“We have taken all necessary steps to support the smooth and credible conduct of the 2025 elections. The Department of Energy, through the ETFE, stands ready to respond and coordinate with our partners to maintain uninterrupted energy access across the country,” Fuentebella added.

He said the task force will closely monitor potential worst-case scenarios, including the simultaneous occurrence of natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and low-pressure weather systems that could trigger power disruptions.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think stable and sufficient electricity will be provided during and after the elections? Do you think power outages could still happen during the canvassing period?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Potential sites for future nuclear power plants being assessed by government

Potential sites for future nuclear power plants being assessed by government

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The effort towards a nuclear-powered Philippines moved forward a bit more as the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed that it has been assessing potential sites for future nuclear power plants, according to a business news report by the Manila Bulletin.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Energy (DOE) is assessing various sites for future nuclear power plants, including possible locations in the western regions of the Philippines.

In a recent ambush interview, DOE Undersecretary Sharon Garin shared that while these potential sites are still being evaluated against specific criteria, several areas across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have already been identified as possibilities for nuclear development.

“We have evaluated sites, but that’s still not final; it’s like [the DOE is] practicing [its] criteria,” she told reporters.

“So we assess, for example, [in] Bataan [province, the municipalities of] Morong [and] Mariveles. We’ve also assessed somewhere in Bulacan, [and] in Batangas.”

While these provincial areas already have large populations, Garin is also hopeful about the possibility of building other nuclear-related infrastructures, such as data centers, in the future.

“We’ve also assessed down south. There’s a lot—Masbate, Palawan, we’ve also gone there—some of them qualify because there [are] metrics.”

She also said that Western Visayas could be a viable location for hosting nuclear facilities, along with other regional areas that are less likely to be affected by tsunamis.

“Palawan is really one of the most stable [in terms of geology]. The problem [there] is the grid—it’s not connected.”

According to Garin, the DOE is closely looking at areas that are far from fault lines and volcanoes.

She emphasized, however, that these are not confirmed sites for development, adding that, “I don’t want to announce what the specific areas have passed because it might cause some anxiety among people.”

The Energy Undersecretary assured that the government is making significant progress in its preparations, including conducting surveys, developing frameworks, and forming key partnerships, such as the 123 Agreement with the United States (US). She expressed optimism that once legal and regulatory requirements are finalized, the country will be ready to begin issuing construction licenses by 2026.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the assessment by the government for potential nuclear power sites will be completed soon and pave the way for actual construction?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco