Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is accelerating the deployment of advanced U.S. nuclear technologies to the Philippines. USTDA announced funding for technical assistance to the Philippines Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN), to evaluate U.S. small modular reactor (SMR) designs and develop an implementation roadmap for the country’s first SMR nuclear power plant. The project will help address the Philippines’ rising energy demand and position U.S. industry as a long-term partner for nuclear power development in the country.

“USTDA is proud to lead the U.S. government’s efforts to develop strategic infrastructure projects that both our countries have prioritized,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Deputy Director. “Safe, secure, and safeguarded nuclear solutions offer tremendous potential for energy independence. Our funding will advance Meralco’s nuclear energy program, strengthen America’s nuclear industrial base and position trusted U.S. technologies as the foundation for the Philippines’ energy future.”

USTDA’s assistance will provide MGEN, a subsidiary of the Philippines’ largest private electric distribution utility Manila Electric Company (Meralco), a comprehensive technical review of advanced U.S.-made SMR reactor designs. The findings will enable MGEN to develop a shortlist of American technology providers for its future procurement needs. The assistance will also deliver an implementation roadmap that incorporates international best practices for project structuring and financing. USTDA’s funding will create opportunities for U.S. industry to be a preferred partner for building the Philippines’ energy future. To complement the technical assistance and further support the Philippines’ SMR goals, USTDA announced it will bring a delegation of Philippine energy decision-makers to the United States through a reverse trade mission to observe novel U.S. SMR solutions.

USTDA-funded programming is carried out by U.S. companies. Businesses interested in submitting proposals for the technical assistance should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.

“Through the good graces of the U.S. government, we are laying the groundwork for responsible integration of nuclear into our overall fuel mix. This grant goes beyond funding – it is a demonstration of support from the United States for our vision, our readiness, and our capabilities to lead the adoption of nuclear energy,” Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said. “Meralco sees this grant as the beginning of a long but necessary journey. It simply is right for the country to think nuclear and Meralco is prepared to act as though leader in that regard. We look forward to the progress this collaboration will bring – and to a secure energy future we will build together.”

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government’s first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: press@ustda.gov