Meralco to start US-backed study on small modular reactors
Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest power distributor, is moving forward with plans to study the potential adoption of small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of its long-term energy transition.
SMRs are designed to generate electricity at a lower capacity than traditional nuclear plants.
An SMR produces roughly 300 to 450 megawatts of electricity.
In a disclosure on Monday, Meralco said it was undertaking an SMR Adoption Study in coordination with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
The company said the request for proposal (RFP) for the study is targeted for release within the month.
The study is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026 and be completed by the fourth quarter of the same year.
The initiative forms part of Meralco’s Nuclear Energy Strategic Transition (NEST) program, which lays out a phased approach to assessing the viability of nuclear energy in the Philippines.
Under the indicative timeline, the first quarter of 2026 will cover the posting of the RFP and the selection of a contractor, alongside the formal start of the SMR study.
From the second to third quarters, Meralco will focus on site assessments in coordination with key government agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.
These middle phases will also include stakeholder engagement and consultations, capability-building initiatives and support for the development of legal and regulatory frameworks necessary for nuclear power adoption.
By the fourth quarter of 2026, Meralco expects to complete the USTDA-funded study and produce a shortlist of potential sites that may be considered by the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority and the DOE.
Meralco said the NEST program remains in its preparatory stage and would not have any material impact on the company’s business operations or financial position at this time.
The disclosure comes amid renewed policy discussions on diversifying the country’s energy mix, as the Philippines looks to secure stable and low-emission power sources to meet growing electricity demand.
