Last Friday, 30 June 2023, ABAC Philippines and ABAC Canada successfully organized a virtual roundtable titled “Powering the Future: Exploring Nuclear Energy and Emerging Technologies in APEC.” The event generated enthusiastic discussions on the potential of nuclear energy to drive a sustainable future and address the pressing need for decarbonization in combating climate change.
The roundtable, which brought together industry leaders, field experts, and policymakers, focused on the viability of nuclear energy and emerging technologies in promoting sustainable growth across the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region. With the participation of representatives from the 21 APEC economies, invaluable insights were shared, and profound conversations were held on these crucial topics.
This event follows the endorsement and support received by the Sustainable Growth Working Group of ABAC during the second leg of the ABAC meetings held in April. The group expressed interest in exploring the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs) and emerging technologies as zero-carbon energy sources. These initiatives underline ABAC’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by climate change and promoting sustainable development. The “Power the Future” roundtable served as a platform for knowledge exchange and cross-border collaboration, aligning with ABAC’s mission.
“We are transitioning from an era powered primarily by fossil fuels to one powered by diverse, cleaner, and more sustainable sources of energy. But to achieve this transition successfully, we need to ensure that it is marked by two essential principles — equity and security. The role of nuclear energy will be pivotal in this journey. It calls for shared learning, private-public partnerships, and an imaginative exploration of new technologies and what they can do. Let us seize this opportunity, and together, shape an energy landscape in the APEC region marked by equity, security, and sustainability,” according to Sabin Aboitiz, President and CEO of the Aboitiz Group and a member of ABAC Philippines, as he inaugurated the discussion by emphasizing the role of nuclear energy in the 21st-century “Energy Transformation.”
Aboitiz, who also serves as the Vice Chair of the ABAC Sustainable Growth Working Group, plays a crucial role in fostering dialogue among industry leaders and influencing policy issues that shape the economic progress of the region.
The keynote address was delivered by Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla of the Department of Energy (DOE), who provided comprehensive insights into the Philippines’ re-examination of nuclear energy. Secretary Lotilla highlighted the DOE’s collaboration with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in establishing an enabling policy framework for private sector participation in the nuclear power sector.
Jan De Silva, President and CEO of the Toronto Region Board of Trade and an ABAC Canada member, emphasized the urgency of decarbonization and the need to enhance energy security in her message. De Silva commended ABAC’s network effect, which enables experts from various economies to share their insights and experiences, ultimately contributing to sustainable solutions.
The roundtable also featured dialogues with subject matter experts and policymakers from different APEC economies, ensuring a comprehensive discussion that incorporated diverse perspectives from around the world.
The first session centered on the role of public-private partnerships in creating favorable policy environments for nuclear energy and achieving energy security in different economies. The panelists included Emmanuel V. Rubio, President and CEO of AboitizPower; Prof. Dr. Ir. Anhar Riza Antariksawan, Main Expert Researcher at Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency’s Research Organization on Nuclear Energy; Mark Cojuangco, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Nuclear Energy and 2nd District Pangasinan Congressman; Dr. Ken Nakajima, Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science; and David Donovan, Chief of Staff at the Ontario Ministry of Energy.
Congressman Cojuangco confirmed that the bill creating the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, or PhilATOM, is nearing passage in Congress and requires just a few more session days.
The second session focused on new technologies and use cases for nuclear energy and small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet the growing interest and demand. The panelists included Julianne den Decker, Senior Vice President of Major Projects at CANDU Energy, and Svyatoslav V. Pikh, Head of Department at ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation of the Russian Federation.
The discussions were skillfully facilitated by Ruth Yu-Owen, President and Vice President of Upgrade Energy Philippines.
The leadership, expertise, and experiences shared during the roundtable represent only the beginning of ABAC’s exploration of nuclear energy and emerging technologies for a sustainable future. In July, ABAC will convene for its third leg in Cebu, Philippines, where 200 delegates from the 21 APEC economies will gather to further discuss challenges and opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable practices in the region.