The Business Times
business-time-50
THINKING ALOUD

Nuclear power partnerships in Asean: Worth studying despite hurdles

With the success of Slovenia and Croatia, countries here cannot ignore the potential benefits

Summarise
google-preferred-sourceAdd BT as a preferred source
Sharanya Pillai

Sharanya Pillai

Published Tue, Jul 29, 2025 · 07:00 AM
    • Having nuclear power in Asean would require countries to set clear base rules to ensure safety and the non-proliferation of weapons.
    • Having nuclear power in Asean would require countries to set clear base rules to ensure safety and the non-proliferation of weapons. PHOTO: REUTERS

    [SINGAPORE] Interest in nuclear power has surged across South-east Asia, with countries eyeing a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels that is more consistent than solar or wind power. As Singapore and its neighbours deepen their exploration, joint nuclear power projects and regional trade could also be worth examining.

    This possibility was raised by the director-general of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog on Friday (Jul 25). Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not only highlighted Singapore as a “perfect example” of a country that needs nuclear power, but suggested that projects could involve regional partnerships.

    “My personal impression is that within a few years, you will see your first nuclear power (project)... perhaps in a wider sense, in combination or cooperation with your Asean neighbors,” he said at a dialogue while visiting the Republic.

    Thinking AloudNuclearAsean

    TRENDING NOW

    Traffic through the strait has been resuming but with interruptions, and there is still little clarity over a permanent solution for passages through the chokepoint.

    Qatari LNG ship struck in Strait of Hormuz, testing US talks

    This comes after a Citi note on Tuesday that lifted target prices for all Singapore banks, with a leading preference and “buy” call for DBS.

    DBS shares rise 1.9% to hit all-time intraday high as sentiment improves

    Aster deputy CEO Andre Khor, citing the age of the “polycrisis”, says: “It’s very important to be agile, to be focused on execution… We don’t know all the answers but we keep going forward.”

    ‘Baptism of fire’: Andre Khor on leading Singapore refiner Aster through an energy crisis

    Singapore ranks as the world’s most expensive city for cars and placed third globally for residential property.

    Singapore retains top spot as most expensive city for HNWIs, with five Apac cities in global top 10

    Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
    Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
    View More