The Philippines, as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, faces the challenge of ensuring reliable energy while balancing environmental concerns. Two major utility players, The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and Aboitiz Group, are at the forefront of these transformative efforts, both eyeing nuclear energy as part of their sustainability strategy.

Over the decades, the quest for nuclear power in Southeast Asia have a experienced many false-promises due to a myriad of reasons, often non-technology related but political. Recently Indonesia and the Philippines have demonstrated a renewed interest in harnessing this clean source of energy. How do these two countries match up and which of the two looks more likely to be the first member of the Southeast Asia Civil Nuclear Power club?

Nuclear power programs in the ASEAN region has traditionally been led by governments. However in recent times, with the emergence of SMRs, utilities in ASEAN have started showing a keen interest in adopting nuclear energy.

Southeast Asian countries reviving interest in nuclear energy with the advent of small modular reactors (SMRs). SMRs present an appealing option for archipelagic countries like Indonesia and the Philippines in particular. The potential adoption of SMRs could mark a pivotal milestone for ASEAN countries as they work to achieve energy security and decarbonization goals.