Singapore still considering deployment of nuclear, geothermal energy: Alvin Tan

SINGAPORE will need to consider any decision to deploy new energy technologies such as nuclear and geothermal energy against its safety, reliability, affordability and environmental sustainability in a local context, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan on Monday (Apr 4).

This is as "many of these advanced geothermal and nuclear technologies are still in the research and development phase, and have not begun commercial operations yet", he said in response to questions from Members of Parliament Ang Wei Neng, Poh Li San and Liang Eng Hwa.

"These technologies must meet stringent standards of critical infrastructure resilience in line with the international best practices of developed countries, which have experience in ensuring the safety of such power plants," said Tan.

For nuclear energy technologies in particular, the government needs to continue building its ability to better understand and assess the safety, security and environmental implications before considering them for deployment, said Tan. This is given the "technical complexity of nuclear energy technologies", he added.

The government is supporting research into the relevant areas of nuclear policy, science and engineering, as well as efforts to train scientists and experts in local and overseas universities through the Nuclear Safety Research and Education Programme.

The questions on the feasibility of nuclear and geothermal energy come after an Energy 2050 Committee report last month, commissioned by the Energy Market Authority, highlighted that both have the potential to play a part in Singapore's future energy supply mix.

To reach Singapore's goal of net-zero emissions by the middle of this century, the report has set out several possible pathways for Singapore's power sector.

One particular pathway outlines an energy future where the Republic has successfully deployed large-scale, low-carbon technologies at lower cost of energy generation, said Tan.

Such technologies include the aforementioned nuclear and geothermal energy, as well as hydrogen.

Tan said that geothermal energy is an "attractive source", as it may provide a more consistent supply of energy compared to solar energy, but conventional systems were not viable in Singapore due to the lack of adequate hot water and steam resources at shallow depths.

However, recent advances have shown that Singapore could "possibly harness geothermal energy from deep underground," said Tan, adding that the Nanyang Technological University is conducting exploratory studies to estimate the geothermal resource potential in various parts of the country.

"If found feasible, geothermal energy could be a new source of indigenous clean energy in Singapore," he said.

As for nuclear technology, a pre-feasibility study in 2012 had found that conventional large reactor technologies were not suitable for deployment in Singapore, but new designs being developed since then have the potential to be much safer than many of the plants in operation today, Tan noted.

"These include small modular reactors (SMRs) and generation IV nuclear technologies, which incorporate enhanced safety systems that may not be possible for older generation technologies," he said.

Some SMRs are also designed to cool safely and passively without requiring external systems or operator actions, especially during emergencies.

Additionally, nuclear fusion development, which has advanced significantly, could result in a scenario where nuclear fusion power plants could produce clean electricity to meet Singapore's energy needs, said Tan.

"Unlike (nuclear) fission, nuclear fusion does not cause chain reactions, and will not produce long-lived radioactive waste," he added.

Tan added that the government has not yet set a target for the energy mix in Singapore, although the Energy 2050 Committee report had noted that nuclear energy can supply a 10 per cent of Singapore's energy needs.

In his speech, Tan said Singapore actively supports international efforts such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and Asean Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy to strengthen the global nuclear safety and security architecture.

Singapore's future energy mix will "depend on advancements in low-carbon technologies, as well as through collaborations and trading of low-carbon energy across borders,".

"The government will carefully study the recommendations in the Committee's report and calibrate our plans accordingly as technologies evolve," he said.

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