Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is accelerating the deployment of advanced U.S. nuclear technologies to the Philippines. USTDA announced funding for technical assistance to the Philippines Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), to evaluate U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) designs and develop an implementation roadmap for the country’s first SMR nuclear power plant. The project will help address the Philippines’ rising energy demand and position U.S. industry as a long-term partner for nuclear power development in the country.
“USTDA is proud to lead the U.S. government’s efforts to develop strategic infrastructure projects that both our countries have prioritized,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Deputy Director. “Safe, secure, and safeguarded nuclear solutions offer tremendous potential for energy independence. Our funding will advance Meralco’s nuclear energy program, strengthen America’s nuclear industrial base and position trusted U.S. technologies as the foundation for the Philippines’ energy future.”
USTDA’s assistance will provide MGEN, a subsidiary of the Philippines’ largest private electric distribution utility Manila Electric Company (Meralco), a comprehensive technical review of advanced U.S.-made SMR reactor designs. The findings will enable MGEN to develop a shortlist of American technology providers for its future procurement needs. The assistance will also deliver an implementation roadmap that incorporates international best practices for project structuring and financing. USTDA’s funding will create opportunities for U.S. industry to be a preferred partner for building the Philippines’ energy future. To complement the technical assistance and further support the Philippines’ SMR goals, USTDA announced it will bring a delegation of Philippine energy decision-makers to the United States through a reverse trade mission to observe novel U.S. SMR solutions.
USTDA-funded programming is carried out by U.S. companies. Businesses interested in submitting proposals for the technical assistance should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
Meralco’s Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said: “Through the generosity of the U.S. government, we are laying the groundwork for the responsible integration of nuclear into our energy mix through small modular reactors. This offers a safe and responsible pathway towards energy security for generations to come. This grant is the beginning of a long and deliberate journey. Nuclear energy demands rigor and foresight – and this partnership will help us prepare and be guided by world-class expertise. We thank the USTDA for acknowledging the vision, capabilities, and readiness of Meralco – and by extension, the Filipino people – to handle the next great innovation in nuclear energy.”
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government’s first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: press@ustda.gov