President Bongbong Marcos Jr. is considering activating the Bataan nuclear power plant, which has never generated electricity despite being built in the 1970s, making it one of the world’s most expensive and least-used nuclear plants.

Congressman Mark Cojuangco, a vocal advocate of the plant’s reopening, recently gave reporters a tour of the facility. The structure’s containment walls, made of 1.5 meters of thick concrete and lined with 30 mm of welded steel, are some of the most robust in the world. Yet, despite the plant’s quality infrastructure, there are still concerns about its safety. The plant has remained dormant for 38 years, and there are uncertainties about whether it can be safely started up.

The decision to use the Bataan nuclear power plant is a contentious one, with the potential benefits weighed against the risks. While some believe it can provide a valuable source of clean energy, others are skeptical. As the world looks for sustainable energy sources, the government’s decision on the plant’s future will undoubtedly shape the country’s energy landscape for decades to come.