Report says Southeast Asian island state looking at new reactor technologies
Singapore says it has continued to strengthen its capabilities to assess nuclear energy. Courtesy Visit Singapore.
Singapore has not made any decision on deployment of its first commercial nuclear power reactors, but is “seriously studying” the potential for domestic nuclear energy because it is a clean energy source that increases energy security.
According to a government report, any decision to deploy nuclear energy will take into account the safety, reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability of the technology in Singapore’s context.
“We will continue our efforts to build up domestic capabilities, supported by international partners,” the report says.
“We will engage the public regularly on the latest developments in nuclear energy, to build an informed understanding of the benefits and risks surrounding nuclear energy.”
The report says Singapore does not have the natural attributes, resources or land to deploy renewable energy solutions such as hydropower or wind energy at scale. Even covering all possible spaces with solar panels would only meet up to 10% of the island state’s needs.
In 2012, the Singapore government conducted a pre-feasibility study on nuclear energy. While the study concluded that nuclear power plants of the time were not suited for a small and densely populated city-state, it recommended that Singapore continue to monitor the progress of new nuclear energy technologies.
Since then, Singapore has continued to strengthen its capabilities to assess nuclear energy.
Earlier this year International Atomic Energy Agency director-general Rafael Grossi said Singapore could become a leading example of the benefits of stable, low-carbon energy solutions like nuclear power with interest in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region “real and promising”.
Grossi said Singapore is “prepared to host nuclear power relatively soon”, given its technological expertise and the maturity of its institutions, as well as its decarbonisation goals.
Singapore could be “the most perfect example of a country that needs nuclear energy”, said Grossi, citing how land constraints make renewable options such as wind power challenging.
