Thailand, Philippines embrace nuclear power to cut emissions

BANGKOK/MANILA — Thailand and the Philippines are charging ahead with plans to start nuclear reactors by the next decade as momentum grows in Southeast Asia toward the region’s first operational power plant.

Thailand looks to unveil in September a national energy plan through 2037 expected to incorporate small modular reactors (SMRs). The government will look into potential sites for the reactors, which would account for 70 megawatts worth of capacity, officials say.