Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr is hopeful the country can work with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) as the Southeast Asian nation explores the possible use of nuclear energy for power generation for the first time.

Marcos met Enec managing director and chief executive officer Mohammed Al-Hammadi at Malacanang Palace in Manila on Monday and discussed a potential partnership in nuclear energy.

“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is hopeful the Philippines could successfully partner with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. (ENEC) as the country explores the possible use of nuclear energy for power generation,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

Nuclear as an alternative energy option “is a subject that we have been talking about for a long time,” Marcos told Al-Hammadi at the meeting, adding that he has been trying to decide on the government’s next steps.