Singapore commissions nuclear study

Mott MacDonald Singapore has been 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 small modular reactors (SMRs), based on their safety features, technology maturity, and commercial readiness. EMA launched a tender for Consultancy Services on Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies in December 2024.

EMA said, with over 60 years of experience in the nuclear energy industry, UK-based Mott MacDonald has been providing technical, regulatory, and policy advisory services to technology developers and government agencies in the areas of advanced nuclear energy technologies and nuclear safety analysis.

Singapore has not made any decision to deploy nuclear energy. However, EMA said it is important for Singapore “to continue to build our capabilities and work with various experts to improve our understanding of nuclear energy, especially advanced nuclear energy technologies”. Any decision to deploy nuclear energy will need to be carefully considered against its safety, reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability in Singapore’s context.

EMA is a statutory board under the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry. “Through our work, we seek to build a clean energy future that is resilient, sustainable, and competitive. We aim to ensure a reliable and secure energy supply, promote effective competition in the energy market and develop a dynamic energy sector in Singapore.”

In March 2022, an EMA report had concluded that nuclear energy could supply around 10% of Singapore’s energy needs, supporting the target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. EMA signed a MOU with the UAE’s Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) in October 2024, under which the two sides agreed to work together to strengthen capabilities in nuclear science and technology, and identify areas of mutual interest.

In August 2024, Singapore and the US agreed to study how nuclear technology can support climate and energy needs. The agreement was signed by Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This was a “123 Agreement”, named after Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, which requires the conclusion of a peaceful cooperation agreement before significant transfers of nuclear material or equipment from the US can begin. The agreement will last for 30 years.

“The United States and Singapore collaborate closely on matters involving nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, including in regional and multilateral for a,” a joint statement said. “Over the past decade, the United States has supported Singapore’s efforts to better understand the safety and reliability of advanced nuclear energy technologies and build capacity. Since 2017, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) have had arrangements to collaborate on nuclear safety matters, and most recently held a joint workshop in July 2024 under these arrangements.”

It added: “Through this agreement, as well as other capacity building initiatives, such as the Foundational Infrastructure for the Responsible Use of Small Modular Reactor Technology (FIRST) programme, the United States and Singapore intend to further strengthen civil nuclear cooperation to better understand how advanced nuclear energy technologies, including small modular reactors, can potentially support climate goals, while balancing critical energy needs. This will support Singapore’s efforts to understand and evaluate advanced nuclear energy technologies, should viable options emerge.”

Dr Balakrishnan said at the signing ceremony that current conventional nuclear technologies are not suitable for Singapore. “But given advances in civil nuclear technology, we need to stay abreast of breakthroughs in this rapidly evolving field.”

Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade & Industry, Dr Tan See Leng, said recent technological advances, particularly in SMRs, have made it possible for Singapore to study whether new developments could enable the country to be self-sufficient. “We are committed to a decarbonisation journey, a process that will end by 2050, resulting in net zero emissions. So, we will do everything that’s possible to ensure that we achieve those targets but at the same time, we need to always ensure our own energy security and also make it cost effective for all of our fellow citizens…. Clean nuclear energy is one possible option but let me be clear, we have not decided on whether we’re going to eventually use nuclear energy or not.”

In his Budget 2025 speech in February, Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said the government will 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.