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

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.