South Korea's longstanding nuclear expertise to be highlighted at Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum 2024

The Republic of Korea, a global leader in nuclear energy, will share its decades of experience and technological advancements at the Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) 2024. The forum, hosted by the Philippines, will be held from 13-15 November 2024 at Solaire Resort North in Quezon City, Philippines.

PINSCF 2024 will feature presentations, expert-led discussions, and networking opportunities, providing a platform for international collaboration and knowledge exchange. Key energy specialists from the United States, Canada, France, South Korea, and Japan will discuss various technologies and regulatory frameworks as the Philippines explores the potential of nuclear energy.

On the third day of the forum, the South Korean delegation will share its success stories and lessons learned in incorporating nuclear energy into its national energy mix. Representatives from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) will be among the key presenters, sharing their expertise and innovative solutions in the field of nuclear energy.

South Korea has been a leader in nuclear energy since 1978, operating twenty-six (26) nuclear reactors that contribute to the country's total net capacity of 25,825 MWe. In 2023, these reactors generated 30.7 percent of the country's total electricity production.

The country is committed to further expanding its utilization of carbon-free energy. Under its Draft 11th Basic Plan on Electricity Supply and Demand, the country intends to construct three (3) new nuclear power plants and include small modular reactors (SMRs) as a new power generation facility by 2038.

South Korea has a long history of innovation in nuclear technology, starting with the development of the APR-1400 reactor design in 1992. The Pressurized Water Reactor produces 1,400 MW of electricity per unit and has received certifications from both the European Utility Requirements and the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, leading to the diversification of South Korea's nuclear power plant exports. The country had established a goal to capture 20 percent of the world nuclear power plant market during the next 20 years. This will translate to 80 reactor exports in the next 20 years, with an estimated value of USD400 billion.

With its successful experience in nuclear technology, South Korea actively collaborates with other countries. The Philippines has benefitted from these partnerships through previous programs and projects, including the pre-feasibility study of the Philippine Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in 2017, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of infrastructure for possible nuclear energy projects in the Philippines in 2018, and the joint pre-feasibility study for the deployment of an SMR in the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority in 2019.

Currently, the Philippines and South Korea are collaborating on a comprehensive technical and economic study in the field of energy, based on an MOU signed by the two countries on 07 October 2024 which is designed to generate critical information to guide the Philippine government’s decision-making process, not only on the BNPP but also in exploring other nuclear technologies and potential alternative sites for nuclear energy development.

"The Philippines is committed to exploring all options for a secure and sustainable energy future, including nuclear energy. Drawing on South Korea's decades of leadership in this field, we hope to gain invaluable insights as we explore the potential of this technology. Our two countries share a rich history of strong energy cooperation, and through this collaboration and knowledge sharing, we are confident that we can harness the power of nuclear energy to meet our energy needs and address the challenges of climate change," the Department of Energy said.

The Philippines, with its aspirations to include an initial capacity of 1200 MW of nuclear energy in its power mix by 2032, recognizes the importance of the PINSCF 2024 in providing a platform for industry partners, media, and interested parties to engage with South Korea's nuclear energy experts and explore mutually beneficial partnerships.

Registration for the forum is open through the official website: www.nuclearforumph.com.
For more information, participants may contact the Nuclear Energy Program Secretariat through email address nepiac.secretariat@gmail.com or reach out to doe.media@doe.gov.ph for media inquiries.###