Mr Ramon Ang president of SMC said that the company is looking at nuclear power as part of the company's generation portfolio over the long term period.
– Edited by April Murelio –
Manila Standard Today reported that diversifying San Miguel Corporation has expressed interest to go into the nuclear power business.
Mr Ramon Ang president of SMC said that the company is looking at nuclear power as part of the company's generation portfolio over the long term period.
Mr Ang said that San Miguel might get a JV partner for future nuclear power development projects and did not discount the possibility of a tie up with Korea Electric Power Corporation. He added that "We are willing to partner with any expert in nuclear."
He said that San Miguel was also interested in joining the privatization of the mothballed 600 MW Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. He added that "If the government will bid out Bataan nuclear plant, we will join."
Meanwhile, sources said San Miguel and KEPCO had agreed in principle to pursue future power related JV projects. The source said that the agreement might include the possible expansion in the capacity of the 1,200 MW Ilijan natural gas power plant in Batangas province.
San Miguel manages the contracted capacity of the Ilijan gas plant after winning the auction in April 2010. It will also manage the fuel requirement of the power plant. San Miguel offered the highest bid of USD 480 million for the Batangas plant, which is operated by KEPCO. San Miguel is now the country's largest power player.
Mr Rolando Bacani GM for business development at KEPCO Philippines earlier said that the expansion would also depend on whether other companies will pursue liquefied natural gas facilities. He added that "Our expansion has been sidelined but if somebody will put up an LNG facility, then that will push us to expand."