Singapore-U.S. Forum: Planning for a Nuclear Energy Future in Southeast Asia

At the Singapore-U.S. Forum, H.E. Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-Charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Republic of Singapore, highlighted the growing importance of nuclear collaboration and capability building for Southeast Asia’s clean energy transition. 

Against the backdrop of surging regional demand and decarbonisation imperatives, H.E. Dr Tan spotlighted nuclear energy as an emerging area of cooperation. He reinforced Singapore’s commitment to deepening its partnership with the U.S. on civil nuclear energy development. Key milestones include the Singapore-U.S. Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Civil Nuclear Energy (also known as the 123 Agreement), and the recent addition of Singapore to the U.S. list of Generally Authorised Destinations for nuclear technology exports.

Building capabilities through research and partnerships

Singapore is strengthening its technical and institutional foundation to make informed decisions about nuclear energy. Earlier this week, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Battelle Memorial Institute to study advanced reactor technologies and a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Idaho National Laboratory to collaborate on technical assessments and capability building.

These partnerships, H.E. Dr Tan explained, will be core to Singapore’s capability-building plans, ensuring any exploration of nuclear energy is underpinned by world-class expertise and rigorous safety standards.

Developing a robust local nuclear ecosystem

H.E. Dr Tan emphasised that developing a national ecosystem spanning government, academia, and industry is crucial for long-term readiness. He also highlighted that local companies play a key role in any country’s nuclear power programme—providing engineering, safety testing, and financial services for nuclear projects.

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