ERC Supports Nuclear Power Legislation to Strengthen Energy Security and Reliability In The Philippines

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of the Philippines has expressed support for proposed legislation aimed at promoting nuclear power as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s energy security and improve electricity reliability.

During a hearing of the House of Representatives Special Committee on Nuclear Energy on August 12, 2026, ERC Director Krisha Marie T. Buela of the Office of the General Counsel and Secretariat presented the Commission’s initial views on the proposed bill.

Buela said the ERC is reviewing several provisions of the proposed legislation and will submit a detailed formal position paper to the committee. The Commission’s initial comments focused on important regulatory and market-related issues that could influence the development of nuclear power in the country.

These include the scope of the ERC’s regulatory authority, long-term power supply agreements, electricity market mechanisms, priority dispatch rules, and the treatment of additional costs linked to nuclear power generation.

The ERC emphasized that the proposed framework should be consistent with existing energy laws and power market regulations. It also called for clear regulatory definitions and practical rules to ensure that nuclear power can be integrated into the electricity sector in an orderly manner.

Consumer protection remains a key concern for the Commission. The ERC stressed that appropriate safeguards are needed to prevent unexpected increases in electricity costs as the country considers nuclear energy as a long-term source of power.

The Commission’s recommendations are intended to help lawmakers develop a clear and workable regulatory framework for nuclear energy. The ERC said such a framework should support the safe and responsible introduction of nuclear power while maintaining market stability and protecting electricity consumers from potential financial risks.