Advisories & News
Press Release
PH CONSUL GENERAL IN TORONTO ENCOURAGES CANADA TO PARTNER IN ENSURING CLEAN, AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE ENERGY FOR FILIPINOS
2024-09-20
Consul General Angelica Escalona (leftmost) provides an overview of the Philippines’ clean energy transition roadmap in a Panel Discussion moderated by CABC Co-Chair Jan Da Silva (rightmost)
11 September 2024 – Consul General Angelica C. Escalona addressed government and industry leaders as a panelist at the Climate Tech Breakfast Series: Can Nuclear Technology Superpower Ontario’s Cleantech Economy? organized by the Toronto Region Board of Trade at The Quay in Toronto.
In the session moderated by Ms. Jan Da Silva, Canadian Co-Chair of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and Canada’s Representative to the APEC Business Advisory Council, Consul General Escalona provided an overview of the Philippines’ clean energy transition roadmap and the expected role of nuclear energy in the process. As one of the fastest growing economies in Asia, she noted that “we would need more affordable and more reliable power. Nuclear energy done right will be a great enabler for the government and the private sector.”
The Philippine energy roadmap for the next three decades envisions a greater share for renewable energy (RE) and includes nuclear energy in the power generation mix. Specifically, the Philippines is looking to have 35 percent share of RE in the power generation mix by 2030, and 50 percent by 2040-2050. The country is also looking at a nuclear capacity of 1,200MW by 2032, 2,400MW by 2035, and 4,800MW by 2050, while transitioning and repurposing coal and increasing the capacity for offshore wind.
The Consul General underscored the Philippines’ interest in working with Canada and learning from Canada’s experience in the development of the country’s nuclear energy ecosystem.
“The Philippine government sees this as a whole-of-country initiative. We will need the support of industries, communities and other stakeholders to ensure maximum safety and efficiency. There is interest to cooperate with Canada on nuclear energy, and with Ontario in particular, which relies on nuclear for 60 percent of its power needs. The PH is technology neutral. We are exploring both traditional and advanced reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs), to find the best fit for us, always with the highest standards of safety, security and safeguards in mind. We need assistance in capacity building. There are so many aspects to address, from safety, to legal, environmental, funding and financing, human development, community involvement and research,” she said.
In closing, the Consul General raised two forthcoming important events in Manila where both sides may build on discussions on potential PH-Canada nuclear energy cooperation: the 2024 Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum on 13-15 November and the Team Canada Trade Mission to be led by The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Government of Canada on 4-6 December.
Consul General Angelica Escalona (6th from left) with representatives from Global Affairs Canada, CABC, AtkinsRéalis, and the ASEAN Consular and Commercial Corps in Toronto