Monday, November 3, 2008

RP to run on nuke by 2025

The government has put off its plan to make nuclear power as the main source of energy in the country by 2025, creating a 600 mega-watt nuclear power plant, as stated on the 2008 Philippine Energy Plan.

To jumpstart the country’s nuclear program, the plan said the government would push for the training of local manpower on the field of nuclear sciences and engineering for the possible introduction of nuclear energy in the country.

The 620 mega-watt Bataan Power plant, built in the 80's, failed to generate a single watt of energy, knowing after that that the materials used were all sub-standard. $2.3 billion went to waste after the contractor went out-of-country to keep himself free from the Philippine jurisdiction.

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/nov/03/yehey/business/20081103bus10.html

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I would be 35 years old by 2025, given that I get to live that long, and by that it could mean probably some three new rolls of presidents (three presidential terms), given that there would be no uprising, nor changes in the Philippine constitution, nor any foreign intervention that could alter the normal regulation of the Philippine presidential electoral process. Though I understand that a government would usually look forward to long-term plans, I for one thinks that such plans are not 100% carried over to the next presidential term as different presidents took different views on certain arguments, plans or points which would, in turn, defeat the purpose of having long-term goals for the country.

And though the Bataan Power plant was indeed a product of a long term government planning, it was made possible by the fact that Marcos spent the longest of all presidential terms in the Philippine history, and if it not have been him, it is but possible that the plan was not put into action, as a lot of concerns would definitely be considered, especially when such projects would took up yet another foreign debt to add up to the bloating interest budget eating up the national budget year-on-year.

But aside from the doubt that I am feeling (which I seem to believe more), Nuclear power was discovered, what, more than half a century ago, and has been one of the major power source for some great countries in the world today for quite some time. It is, but possible, that in the span of 15 more years, Nuclear power is but a thing of the past. Passe, as the trend of energy gears more into searching and developing eco-friendly renewable sources of energy, which, though the nuclear power might still be one of, would be far more advanced than what it is presumed today.

And such advancements are not easily accessible, especially for a third world country that is the Philippines. If, in some miracle, we were able to get hold of a decent president that could bring back the P in the Philippines (Peso, more Peso), well maybe there is hope.

They say history repeats itself. And as I recall the billion-dollar-science-project of a genius-turned-stupidly greedy-president, who was supposedly the best of all time, how just I wish that when I reach the age 35 by 2025, there is still enough energy to fire up my antique apple that was my Macbook.

2 comments:

Mr.Wong said...

For me building another nuclear power plant is just a cost of money because:
-It's true their the cheapest one that can generate power, but think of the side effects they could produce when using them
-They can be the target of the terrorists if they plan to attack the government, but if it became a private sector operating it, there will be a great chance that they'll increase the price and if that happens the meaning of cheaper cost will just be useless
-Philippines is always visited by calamities[earthquakes,typhoons] that can cause damage or even leakage of nuclear chemical that can contaminate our water
that why they should first consider the advantages and disadvantages of building one before they build it

jc89 said...

I think it would be better if we have our own nuclear power plant, as long as it is in a safe place and the materials used are of high standard. It is cheaper than our current power plant; but having our own nuclear power plant is quite dangerous, spececially to the health of those people living near it (it cause cancer). Also, having a nuclear power plant requires a lot of attention and maintenance. If the government could handle all of these requirements, then it would be more beneficial to the Filipinos (cheaper electricity).