What happened
to Bataan Nuclear Plant?
Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum said
in March that nuclear facility is on safe ground.
Solidum
also explained the possible hazards that may occur, which are only limited to minimal
ground shaking, which can be mitigated. Other hazards like eruption of a nearby
volcano – Mount Natib, which is not happening as it is not an active volcano.
Furthermore,
Tsunamis and landslides are also unlikely since the nuclear facility was built
on a flat surface that is 80 meters above sea level.
"So if
you conclude based from what I said, then it is... remember, hazards can be
mitigated lalo sa ground shaking. Hindi po 'yun delikado, safe po siya," Solidum
added.
It was the
late president Ferdinand Marcos who commissioned the 620mv nuclear power plant
in 1970s anticipating the need of cheap energy supply in the Philippines.
Meanwhile,
in an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines ‘The Source’ Russian ambassador to
the Philippines Igor Khovaev said that he believes Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
(BNPP) is beyond restoration.
He said
that BNPP is “absolutely outdated” based
on the current standards being followed nowadays.
"The
safety standards, [the] international standards are much, much higher than the
standards on which the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built. So I think it's
not possible at all," he said.
This
statement from the Russian Ambassador came after Russia’s State Atomic Energy
Corporation Rosatom conducted an assessment whether the facility is still fit
for commissioning.
In the same
interview, Khovaev clarified that there is no nuclear infrastructure agreement
with the Philippines in the plan – neither the revival of NBPP.
"It's
not in our agenda... simply because the Philippine government didn't request us
to do that," Khovaev said.
"The
final say always belongs to the Philippines' side," he added
Russia said
that they are however, open for "sophisticated nuclear technology" in
other fields and agriculture.
"We
have advanced nuclear technologies which allow the extended shelf life of fresh
fruits and vegetables," said Khovaev. "If you are interested to export
fresh fruits and vegetables to the Russian market, I think... it must be
useful. We can sign the relevant contracts." Khovaev said.
"I
would like to remind you that unlike your traditional ally and partner, my
country has never used nuclear weapons or any other weapon of mass
destruction," he said.
"So
believe me please. I don't see any reason to be worried here in the
Philippines," said Khovaev. "We are your partners, your friends, and
everything we are doing in the field of weapons of mass destruction is in full
compliance with international law."
The Russian Ambassador added.
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