CESE Forum Informs Philippine Energy Discussion

Dec. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- SINGAPORE (December 14, 2010) – Discussions at the Nuclear Power Forum Philippines 2010 have generated progress in the industry discussion on nuclear power development in the Philippines. The high-level meeting among regulators, financing professionals, technology providers, project developers and state and private generation companies is generating concrete follow-up actions and movement in the industry. The forum is organised by the Center for Energy Sustainability and Economics and managed by Arc Media Global, and the 2010 Philippine edition held in conjunction with:
   the national celebrations of the 38th Atomic Energy Week, and
   the official three-day visit to the Philippines (from Dec. 8 to Dec. 11) by International Atomic Energy Agency Director General HE Yukiya Amano

Discussions centred on the opportunities and challenges involved in enabling peaceful uses of nuclear technology for the Philippines, including presentations on:
   “Global Development Overview of Successful Nuclear Power Projects Worldwide” by HE Yukiya Amano, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency
   “The Role of Nuclear Power in a Sustainable Energy Future” by Mr Francois Nguyen, Senior Policy Advisor, International Energy Agency
   “Fourteen Lessons from the Successful Nuclear Power Programme of the Republic of Korea” by Prof Il Soon Hwang, Director, Nuclear Transmutation Energy Research Center of Korea (NUTRECK)

In a written letter to the attendees, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III also sent his greetings, enjoining the participants, “May this gathering serve as an opportunity to find ways to improve the welfare of the Filipino people”. He continues, “With strengthened partnership between the public and private sectors, the mutually beneficial goals of responsible environmental management and economic development are achievable.”

During his visit, the IAEA Director General also met with Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, and received a briefing from Health Undersecretary Mario Villaverde on the Philippines' cancer control programme. He visited the Dr. Jose Fabella Reyes Medical Center to inspect its radiotherapy facilities, and discussed the provision of training assistance and equipment for Philippine scientists. "The Department of Health is looking at expanding its cooperation with the IAEA in the area of cancer radiotherapy though regular training for Philippine health professionals in cancer research and treatment," the DFA said.

In a separate development last week and in line with commitments to harmonise its nuclear power development programme with ASEAN counterparts, the Philippine Department of Energy also announced that it would jumpstart this year its own technical study on that policy direction, with a budget of P100 million (US$2.3 million) earmarked for the study.

International delegates to the Nuclear Power Forum Philippines 2010 included senior representatives from Austria, Canada, France, Hong Kong (China), Japan, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States in addition to the Philippine participants which included student leaders sponsored by the Center for Energy to participate.

The Nuclear Power Forum is the only government-business forum for leaders in Asian nuclear power development, featuring case studies and high-level panel discussions on sustainable development of nuclear technology for peaceful energy use. The meeting, which includes CEOs and directors from major international and local industry players, seeks to address current opportunities and challenges in nuclear power development in the country and in Southeast Asia. Succeeding meetings will be held around the Asia-Pacific region to allow attending executives and government officials to cement partnerships and contracts to move forward effectively, securely and safely.

If you'd like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with the organiser or speakers at the forum,
please call Rex Ian Sayson at (+65) 6844 2080 or e-mail nuclearph@arcmediaglobal.com

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The Center for Energy Sustainability and Economics is an industry research centre (IRC) that works to bring top executives together in communities of learning and practice to act as a catalyst for generating high-value energy business insight and channel top expertise to where the world needs it most. Center for Energy meetings are powered by Arc Media Global, an integrated international marketing specialist headquartered in Singapore.