The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines: Lessons from a White Elephant Project

Authors

Ronald U. Mendoza, Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Yla Gloria Marie P. Paras, Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Donald Jay M. Bertulfo, University of the Philippines DilimanFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2016

Abstract

In public policy literature, white elephant projects are described as large-scale investment ventures which do not only crowd-out funds from smaller-scale investment opportunities, but also lead to negative social returns. This case study briefly sketches recent literature and information on white elephant projects and then proceeds to examine the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) in the Philippines, considered an example of a white elephant project. This particular megaproject had implications on the Philippines' fiscal standing and energy security, offering lessons for future projects of this size and significance.

Recommended Citation

Mendoza, R. U., Paras, Y. G., & Bertulfo, D. (2016). The Bataan nuclear power plant in the Philippines: Lessons from a white elephant project (SSRN Scholarly Paper ID 2833766). Social Science Research Network. https://papers.ssrn.com/abstract=2833766