Constructed during the Marcos Era on
1976, the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is the first ever nuclear power
plant that was created in the Philippines. The purpose of the construction of
the BNPP during that time was to find a solution to the 1973 oil crisis. However,
after Ferdinand Marcos was removed from presidency because of People Power,
different sectors in society greatly opposed the use of the power plant because
for them, a nuclear power plant would emit radiation that would harm the
people.
Decades have passed and we are now in
the 21st century. Prices crude, oil and coal are continually rising.
As an effect the prices of power and electricity here in our country is also
gradually increasing. Because of these, recently the plan of reviving Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant has been an issue. Some nuclear advocates believe that the
BNPP will help to significantly reduce the price of electricity while others
are still firm in their stand that a nuclear power plant will be very dangerous
for our society. However, do we really understand what it means to operate the
Bataan Nuclear Power Plant?
Reviving the BNPP will have different
advantages, but the one of the most important is its effect on the price of
electricity. A nuclear plant produces energy from continuously splitting
uranium atoms, a process called fission. For every uranium atom that splits,
great amounts of energy are produced. Because of this, a nuclear power plant
only needs to be refuelled once every 18 months, compared to a fuel plant that
needs 100 tons of coal per day. (Anonymous 1997). Because of this, our government
need not buy and transport tons of coal every day, which in effect will lessen
costs and energy prices.
According to Katerina Francisco, a
news writer from Rappler, Napocor general manager Marcelo said that power from
BNPP will reduce the expensive costs of electrity. He also said "When we
operate the nuclear power plant in the first 20 years, the cost of electricity
(per kilowatt hour) is about P1. It will go to about P2 per kWh for the
transmission cost. With coal, it can cost about P6." (Francisco 2013).
Another advantage is that nuclear
plant does not emit carbon dioxide because it does not burn anything.
However, for the opposition, the
Bataan Nuclear Power Plant has its own dangerous and risky disadvantages.
First, the BNPP is only designed to produce 600 megawatts of electricity. According
to ANC, Department of Energy Secretary Petilla said that the BNPP is not really
a solution to energy price crisis because it can only supply 5% of Luzon’s
energy consumption. (ANC 2014).
Another reason why some Filipinos
oppose the BNPP is the idea that it emits harmful radiation into our atmosphere.
However, the nuclear plant will only emit radiation if it cannot dispose of its
wastes properly or if there will be a failure in the nuclear plant, like what
happened to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan after it was hit by a
tsunami.
Finally, for some people the Bataan
Nuclear Power Plant is a symbol of the corruption during the Marcos era. Dr.
Giovanni Tapang, AGHAM National Chairperson and Spokesperson, says in his
article that the BNPP was constructed out of corruption, and if we revive it,
it will be another source of corruption in our government. Billions will be
needed to revive and rehabilitate the power plant, which can cause
controversies and issues (Tapang).
For me, my stand is to revive the
BNPP. Yes, there are risks and controversies, but I guess it is time for us to
try something new. A lot of first class countries have already shifted to
nuclear energy, such as United States and Japan. They were not afraid of the
risks and instead tried to make a difference. Our fellow Filipinos have been
stuck in the past, thinking that BNPP is just corruption. I think that instead
of being afraid, why not make a move and try. Yes, the BNPP might only supply
5% of Luzon’s energy, but if it’s successful, then it will be a window to
improving our sources of energy.
People fear the dangers of not handling
the nuclear plant properly. I guess this is the government’s time to prove to
its people that they have the capacity to take care of the Philippines. Take
care, not by sticking to old ways, but by showing that they can handle the BNPP
properly and at the same time, keeping the Filipinos safe.
Sources:
ANC (2014). Should
the Philippines Run the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant?. ANC-Yahoo
News.
034722307.html. March 8, 2014.
Anonymous (1997). Nuclear
Power vs. Fossil Fuels.
March 8, 2014.
Francisco, Katerina (2013). Nuclear Power to Lower Electricity Costs. Rappler.Com.
power-debate. March 8, 2014.
Tapang, Giovanni. Power
Plays: Reviving the Opposition to the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
IbonInternational.Org. http://iboninternational.org/resources/pages/EDM/72/30.
March 8,
2014
Ragaza, Marco Paulo P.
2013-59623
STSTHX
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