(Front row, L-R) University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) Professor and department head Rizwan Uddin, Meralco EVP and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho, UIUC College of Engineering Dean and Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering Rashid Bashir, Meralco SVP and chief human resources officer and head Edgardo V. Carasig, (back row, L-R) Meralco Power Academy executive director Ian Chester V. Colorina, Meralco first vice president and head of networks Froilan J. Savet, UIUC Associate Professor CalebBrooks, and UIUC Teaching Professor Leon Liebenberg during the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony in Illinois

The Manila Electric Co (Meralco) is partnering with more foreign universities to support deployment of nuclear reactors in the Philippines. The company has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with North American institutions – Ontario Tech University in Canada and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States. Meralco also visited China to sign MOUs with Harbin Engineering University and Tsinghua University, which are both partners of the China National Nuclear Corp. Overseas Ltd.

Meralco said the partnerships aim to ensure provision of adequate knowledge for managing a NPP, including best practices in the study of nuclear energy. The agreements are expected to lead into co-development and implementation of nuclear energy related programmes and the conduct of joint research projects that will be beneficial to the adoption of a new power source in the Philippines.

“Our commitment to explore the adoption of nuclear energy in the country is reinforced by these milestone collaborations with reputable international institutions,” said Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “These partnerships will help us to have greater understanding of nuclear technologies, ensuring that challenges are addressed, and plans are well aligned with the government policies prior to deployment,”

Meralco is also undertaking a feasibility study with US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp for the potential deployment of one or more micro-modular reactor energy systems. However, the company is more focused on powerful nuclear systems to help boost the country’s goal of achieving at least 1,200 MWe of capacity by 2032.

In 2023, Meralco launched the Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (Fission) programme through the Meralco Power Academy. The five Fission scholars will participate in a three- or four-year programme at partner institutions abroad, two in the US and three in China. They will be sent to nuclear technology firms for their internship and are expected to return to the Philippines in 2028 and take on new roles in Meralco’s 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 said.