The future of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), which has never operated since its construction in the 1980s, remains under discussion. While the Philippine Department of Energy (DoE) prioritizes its potential reactivation as a nuclear power facility, there is also a proposal on the table to convert the infrastructure into a large-scale data centerA data center or data processing center (DPC) ….
The proposal was recently put forward by Bataan Governor José Enrique S. García III, who emphasized the plant’s potential to attract significant investments in the technology sector. Patrick T. Aquino, director of the DoE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, acknowledged this possibility and pointed out that data centers typically require a high energy supply, with a minimum need of 100 megawatts.
Reviving the Nuclear Project: A DoE Priority
Despite the proposal to transform the BNPP into a data center, the Department of Energy remains focused on reactivating the nuclear plant. In this regard, the Philippines and South Korea recently signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct a feasibility study to determine the project’s technical, financial, and social viability.
Aquino stressed that even if the feasibility study yields positive results, a thorough public consultation process will be carried out before any definitive decision is made regarding the nuclear plant’s reactivation. The DoE has also launched an opinion survey to gauge local community support for the project, aiming for at least 80% approval.
Public Acceptance: A Challenge for the Nuclear Project
According to a 2019 survey conducted by the DoE in collaboration with Social Weather Stations, 79% of respondents supported the reactivation of the BNPP, and 65% would back the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the country. Aquino noted that public opinion on nuclear energy in the Philippines has remained stable since then.
The BNPP, built during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, was completed in 1984 but was never activated due to safety concerns and significant social opposition at the time. Currently, the plant represents an underutilized infrastructure that requires substantial investments for its reactivation, but its conversion into a data center could also open new opportunities in the digital sector.
Data Center: An Alternative Approach with Investment Potential
Transforming the BNPP into a data center could position the Philippines as a regional technology hub, capitalizing on the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in Asia. According to Governor García, the plant has ideal conditions for this type of facility, as it has ample space and the potential to secure the necessary energy supply.
Data centers are essential in the digitalization era, facilitating the processing and storage of large volumes of data. Their conversion would attract technological investments and reduce reliance on imported digital infrastructure, aligning with the country’s technological development goals.
As the debate continues, the future of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant emerges as a strategic issue for the Philippines. The decision to either reactivate it as a nuclear energy source or convert it into a digital hub represents a dilemma between energy sustainability and technological development, two key sectors for the country’s economic and social progress.
via: w.media