SINGAPORE: Advancements in nuclear technology, specifically modular reactors, have made nuclear power a more appropriate opportunity for land-scarce Singapore compared to a decade ago.
However, spectators told CNA that in order to harness this potent source of clean energy, concerns about how to manage nuclear waste and win public support must first be answered.
In his Budget 2025 speech on Tuesday ( Feb. 18 ), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated that Singapore would research potential nuclear deployment and develop its capabilities in this area.
Given the technologies at the time, a government pre-feasibility research in 2012 determined that nuclear power was impractical for use in Singapore.
A century later, nuclear power appeared in an expert document on Singapore’s energy transition to 2050 , as , a clear alternative that could meet the fuel mix once “technologically intelligent and economically feasible”.
And last year, Singapore signed a” 123 Agreement” on civil nuclear cooperation with the United States after announcing plans to build a pool of about 100 nuclear energy experts in the medium to long run.
Energy experts told CNA that small modular reactors ( SMRs ) are a key innovation that has made this change in stance possible.
Compact and scalable, SMRs are a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear reactor, and can be prefabricated for easier transport and installation. Their output is about one-third the generating capacity of conventional reactors, or 300 megawatts per unit.
They are also safer, said Mr Somnath Kansabanik, principal at Rystad Energy.
” Gen III and IV reactors, which are newer generations of nuclear technology, feature’ passive safety systems ‘ designed to significantly reduce accident risks”, he said.
SMRs are already in use in China and Russia. The United States, Europe and Britain are also pursuing SMR projects, and corporations like Meta, Google and Amazon have recently announced large investments in nuclear technologies, including SMRs.
In a more personal way, Mr. Kansabanik noted that Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand have joined the US’s program called” Foundation for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology ( FIRS T ) and have begun nuclear feasibility studies.
Advanced SMR technologies are at a “tipping point for becoming commercially viable,” according to Mr. Nick Ash, Southeast Asia energy business leader at Arup.
Nuclear power could enhance Singapore’s energy security and support its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, he noted.
Singapore still relies on natural gas, a fossil fuel, for about 95 per cent of its electricity supply, making it vulnerable to price volatility and supply chain disruptions.
According to Professor Lee Poh Seng, executive director of the Energy Studies Institute, if advanced nuclear technology is made practical, it could account for 10 % of the country’s electricity supply by 2050.