The Philippines has a “strong intellectual infrastructure” and could be ready to deploy its first commercial nuclear power plant in the 2030s, the director-general of the Paris-based Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has said.

William Magwood visited the Southeast Asian nation recently to meet government and industry representatives and to take forward discussions about cooperation that began during his first visit to the country in February 2025.

“During the first NEA visit, we found that the Philippines has a very strong intellectual infrastructure,” said Magwood. “We believe that the country can deploy new nuclear build in the 2030s and the NEA is looking forward to developing close cooperation with Philippines as the country progresses with its nuclear energy plans.”