Philippines approves revival of nuclear power to help replace coal

Cooling towers at the Tihange nuclear power station, operated by Engie SA, in Huy, Belgium, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021. As recently as 2000, Europe generated almost a third of its electricity from nuclear fission, the highest proportion of any region. Photographer: Thierry Monasse/Bloomberg

MANILA, March 4 (Reuters): Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed an executive order to include nuclear power in the country's energy mix, as authorities prepare for the phasing out of coal-fired power plants and after earlier efforts failed due to safety concerns.

The Feb. 28 order, made public on Thursday, could be a major milestone for an economy which suffers seasonal power outages and high electricity prices but will concern opponents of the move.