Meralco Partners With Universities For Nuclear Push

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), under the leadership of Manuel V. Pangilinan, has taken a significant step towards a nuclear-powered future for the Philippines by partnering with several esteemed foreign universities.

Advancing Nuclear Energy for a Sustainable Future: Representatives from Meralco and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) gather during the MOU signing ceremony in Illinois, USA. Pictured (front row, L-R) are UIUC Professor and Department Head Rizwan Uddin, Meralco Executive Vice President and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho, UIUC College of Engineering Dean Rashid Bashir, and Meralco Senior Vice President and CHRO Edgardo V. Carasig. (back row, L-R) Meralco Power Academy Executive Director Ian Chester V. Colorina, Meralco First Vice President and Head of Networks Froilan J. Savet, UIUC Associate Professor Caleb Brooks, and UIUC Teaching Professor Leon Liebenberg. | Photo: MERALCO

These collaborations are part of Meralco’s broader strategy to explore and adopt nuclear energy as a sustainable power source.

Meralco has formalized its partnership with Ontario Tech University in Canada and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) in the United States through memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

This alliance marks a crucial development in Meralco's nuclear energy initiative, aiming to harness international expertise to foster nuclear knowledge in the Philippines.

Present at the MOU signing ceremony in Illinois were high-ranking officials from Meralco and UIUC, including Meralco Executive Vice President and COO Ronnie L. Aperocho and UIUC’s Professor and Department Head Rizwan Uddin.

Further solidifying its commitment, Meralco also entered into agreements with Harbin Engineering University (HEU) and Tsinghua University in China, both recognized partners of the China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas Ltd.

These partnerships are designed to impart critical knowledge on managing nuclear power plants, sharing best practices, and co-developing nuclear energy programs and joint research initiatives.

“Our commitment to exploring the adoption of nuclear energy in the country is reinforced by these milestone collaborations with reputable international institutions. These partnerships will help us gain a greater understanding of nuclear technologies, ensure that challenges are addressed, and that plans are well-aligned with government policies before deployment,” said Aperocho.

Meralco’s initiatives also extend to education through the Meralco Power Academy (MPA).

In 2023, MPA launched the Filipino Scholars and Interns on Nuclear Engineering (FISSION) program.

The first batch of FISSION scholars is set to begin their nuclear engineering studies at UIUC and HEU. Upon their return to the Philippines in 2028, these scholars will integrate into Meralco’s nuclear power generation unit, equipped to contribute to the country’s energy sector.

Aperocho concluded, “Through FISSION, we hope to cultivate the next generation of strong innovators in the field of nuclear energy, empowering and further enhancing the competencies of energy professionals to advance sustainable energy solutions for the country.”