Argentina stands ready to provide critical expertise and technology to ensure the Philippines safely launches its first operational nuclear power plant, according to its embassy.
In a statement to The STAR, the Argentine embassy reaffirmed Buenos Aires’ commitment to supporting Manila’s nuclear energy program, including the potential revival of the long-dormant Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
‘By working together, our countries can lay the groundwork for a Philippine nuclear program that is not only technically sound but also socially beneficial, economically inclusive and aligned with the highest international safety standards,’ it said.
Argentina, one of the leading nuclear players in Latin America, is set to take center stage – alongside eight other countries – at the second Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) this week.
Through this participation, the embassy said, Argentina is expected to offer over five decades of nuclear expertise, providing a practical roadmap to help the Philippines advance its nuclear energy goals.
Currently, Argentina has three operating nuclear plants: the 340-megawatt Atucha 1, the 693-MW Atucha 2 and the 608-MW Embalse facility, latest data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed.
According to the Argentine embassy, the completion of the Atucha 2 facility, whose construction was halted for over 12 years, presents a compelling parallel to the issues the Philippines faces in the possible BNPP rehabilitation.
‘The Philippine case with Bataan is comparable: it involves the challenge of assessing a long-stalled nuclear project, updating it to current international safety standards and rebuilding confidence in its viability,’ it said.
Last year, Argentina’s engineering and technology development firm INVAP was said to have presented a number of initiatives to the Department of Energy to support the Philippines’ nuclear push.
This included support in reviewing proposals for the BNPP revival, technical cooperation for required licensing activities and assistance in establishing a dedicated nuclear regulatory body.
‘Looking ahead, Argentina’s participation in the PINSCF signals a new chapter in bilateral nuclear dialogue, one rooted in trust, mutual learning and shared vision,’ the embassy said.
‘Ultimately, this partnership demonstrates the power of international collaboration in shaping emerging nuclear energy landscapes and ensuring that nuclear power contributes to development in the 21st century,’ it said.
Apart from Argentina, nuclear experts from China, Finland, France, Hungary, Japan, Russia, United Arab Emirates and United States are also set to participate in this year’s PINSCF.
Recently, the Philippines’ nuclear ambitions gained further momentum after President Marcos signed a landmark measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.
This bodes well for the country’s target of unlocking at least 1,200 MW of nuclear power into the energy mix by 2032 and scaling this up to 4,800 MW by 2040.
The Philippines has also returned to the 35-member Board of Governors, one of the IAEA’s two policy-making bodies, after being elected for the term 2025 to 2027. Its previous stint was from 2015 to 2017.