Southeast Asia Embracing Nuclear Power as Energy Uncertainty Continues

The global demand for sustainable development, energy diversification and decarbonisation, along with growing energy supply uncertainty on the back of tariff issues. has seen increasing interest in nuclear power across Southeast Asia.

According to the Southeast Asia Public Policy Institute, a number of ASEAN member states have begun laying the groundwork for nuclear energy development.

Singapore has become the latest nation from the region to step-up plans to progress its nuclear energy ambitions.

Singapore Nuclear Adoption

International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Mariano Grossi visited Singapore last week to confirm nuclear power support in the country and the wider region.

“This visit confirmed what we are seeing worldwide: momentum is building, and ASEAN’s interest in nuclear energy is real and promising,” Mr Grossi said.

“This stable and low-carbon option clearly has a role to play in the region’s energy future.”

Philippines Making Progress

To the north, the Philippines Department of Energy (PDOE) is laying the policy groundwork for the country’s first commercial nuclear power plant, refining policies with the aim of attracting investors and deliver cheaper power to Filipinos.

Under a draft department circular, the PDOE is proposing pricing and dispatch guidelines designed to create a “conducive and competitive market” for the pioneer nuclear power plant project.

A key element of the framework mandates distribution utilities to ensure a ready market for the project’s available capacities, exempting it from the conduct of the usual competitive selection process.

Energy security and self-sufficiency are becoming key priorities, with demand for oil from the transport sector growing and coal needs for power generation increasing as Malampaya – the nation’s main gas field – is progressively being depleted.

Indonesia-South Korea Power

According to the World Nuclear Association, Indonesia has a greater depth of experience and infrastructure in nuclear technology than any other countries in the region.

Indonesia currently generates approximately 80% of its electricity from fossil fuels, with continued population growth accelerating its power demands, with the country’s Energy Council recently proposing 29 possible sites for nuclear power plants across the archipelago.

Elsewhere, South Korea has set a target for nuclear to provide a minimum of 30% of electricity by 2030, up from 25%.

The nation is among the world’s most prominent nuclear energy countries and exports its technology widely.

Fastest-Growing Region

The World Nuclear Association says Asia is leading the world in nuclear power growth as it moves to meet increasing electricity generating capacity.

There are approximately 145 operable nuclear power reactors, with 45 or so under construction and firm plans to build about an additional 60.

Roughly three-quarters of the global reactors under construction are located in Asia.

While Australia’s nuclear power plans collapsed with the Coalition’s loss in the last Federal election, the country is blessed with significant uranium resources that could fuel much of the new nuclear energy growth in the region.