Philippines in talks to partner with Canadian nuclear engineering company AtkinsRéalis

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is in talks for a possible nuclear energy tieup with AtkinsRéalis, a Canadian engineering and technology firm.

Trade Secretary Cristina A. Roque and Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go met with AtkinsRéalis executives on the sidelines of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s working visit to Canada last week, the DTI said in a statement on Sunday.

“As the Philippines studies nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy mix, we welcome AtkinsRéalis’ interest in sharing its proven engineering and nuclear technology expertise with the country,” Ms. Roque was quoted as saying.

AtkinsRéalis, headquartered in Montreal, has a global workforce of 40,000, the DTI said.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Candu Energy, Inc., the company delivers nuclear engineering, technology, licensing, project planning and financing support, supply chain localization, and major project execution services.

“The company presented its CANDU EC6 nuclear reactor technology as one of the potential options for the Philippines as the country evaluates safe, reliable, and commercially viable technologies for its civil nuclear energy program,” the DTI noted.

The discussions included potential areas of cooperation across the nuclear value chain, including regulatory readiness, project development, licensing and engineering support, workforce training, and human capital development, it added.

The Philippine delegation reaffirmed its readiness to support strategic investors through investment facilitation mechanisms, including the Green Lane for Strategic Investments under Executive Order No. 18, the DTI said.

“The DTI, through the Board of Investments and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Toronto, will continue coordinating with relevant agencies and stakeholders to support follow-through discussions,” it said.

As a net importer of oil, the Philippines is seeking alternative energy sources after geopolitical disruptions drove up fuel prices.

CANDU technology uses natural, unenriched uranium and heavy water, according to the DTI.

About 31 commercial CANDU reactors have been built globally in Canada, Argentina, China, Romania, and South Korea, with the technology also used in major refurbishment and life-extension projects.

CANDU technology is also capable of producing nuclear isotope byproducts used in medical applications. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz