Singapore’s Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI) and the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology. The MOU was signed by MTI’s Permanent Secretary (Energy & Trade) Augustin Lee and CAEA Vice-Chairman Liu Jing In the presence of Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr Tan See Leng, and CAEA Chairman Shan Zhongde.
The key areas for capability building partnerships covered under the MOU include:
- Safety and technical assessments of nuclear reactor technologies;
- Manpower training and scientific visits;
- Public education, communications, and engagement;
- Nuclear safety, safeguards, and security; and
- Nuclear technology applications.
The MOU, which will facilitate capability building partnerships between Singapore and China, is part of Singapore’s recent engagements with a range of international partners and will support Singapore’s efforts in developing independent capabilities to make an objective and technical assessment on the potential deployment of nuclear energy.
These engagements also contribute to Singapore’s preparations for an International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 1 Mission scheduled for 2027, which signals Singapore’s growing interest in nuclear power, and in particular, small modular reactors (SMRs). Singapore has held discussions and signed agreements with diverse potential partners over recent years.
Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan signed a civil nuclear cooperation pact with the US known as a 123 Agreement in July 2024, which went into effect the following December and spans 30 years. The allows Singapore to safely access detailed technical data and scientific research from American organisations that are typically under tight US export control based on a strict bilateral commitment to nuclear non-proliferation.
In February 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong – who is also Finance Minister – said the government would study the potential deployment of nuclear power in Singapore and take further steps to systematically build up capabilities in this area. “We will need new capabilities to evaluate options, and to consider if there is a solution that Singapore can deploy in a safe and cost-effective way,” he said in his budget speech. The following May, Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing of a civil nuclear cooperation agreement during Macron’s state visit. The agreement enhanced research sharing and technical collaboration with French energy bodies.
In September 2025, Mott MacDonald Singapore was appointed by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) to conduct a study to evaluate the safety performance and technical feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies, such as SMRs, based on their safety features, technology maturity, and commercial readiness.
Darryl Chan, Director of EMA Nuclear Energy Office in an interview with Straits Times in February, said Authority, said his team will be looking to develop expertise not just in nuclear technologies and safety assessments, but also in policy, environmental and economic analysis. “We can’t rely on foreign partners forever,” he said. “We have to build domestic capabilities to do these important analyses ourselves.”
Singapore has not made a decision to tap nuclear energy but is laying the groundwork to explore it as a viable energy option through international partnerships and commissioning studies. If it decides to tap this energy source, Singapore needs to be sure that the technologies it deploys are safe. “Nuclear safety is paramount,” he noted.
Shortly after this, in March a Mou was signed with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co Ltd (KHNP), South Korea’s state-owned power giant. Details: This pact specifically zeros in on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The two entities are conducting joint feasibility studies to see how modern, compact SMR designs could safely fit into Singapore’s heavily land-scarce environment. It also incorporates structured workforce training and technology sharing.
In June a MOU to exchange information and expertise on nuclear safety regulation, including SMRs, was signed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore and the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR). NEA is Singapore’s national authority for radiation protection and nuclear safety and is building capabilities to support the Government’s study of deployment of nuclear energy.
The partnership with ONR supports Singapore’s efforts to build capabilities in nuclear safety, and to study the feasibility of the safe deployment of nuclear energy, NEA said in a statement. SMRs, are considered highly suitable for land-scarce, densely populated regions like Singapore. The agreement funds and arranges the mutual training of scientific and technical staff to build long-term local competency.
NEA, in July, signed a MOU with the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency of Indonesia (Bapeten) to cooperate on radiation protection, nuclear safety, security and safeguards. The MOU was signed in Jakarta by NEA CEO Dr Benjamin Koh, and Zainal Arifin, Bapeten Acting Chairman. Bapeten is the national authority responsible for regulating nuclear energy use in Indonesia, including ensuring safety, security and safeguards for nuclear and radiation facilities.
Singaporean officials continue to emphasise that, as yet, no decision has been taken on whether to adopt nuclear power. The current focus is entirely on establishing independent capabilities for accurate technological evaluation.
