Advancing Nuclear Readiness for Energy Security and Decarbonisation

Many countries are reassessing the role of nuclear energy as part of a broader effort to strengthen energy security and achieve long-term decarbonisation. Alongside large-scale nuclear programmes, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are emerging as a potential pathway to enable more flexible deployment and wider adoption across new markets.

Interest is growing in how nuclear energy can complement variable renewables by providing reliable, low-carbon firm power to support system stability and meet rising electricity demand from sectors such as data centres and electrification-driven industrial growth.

As attention shifts from technology development to practical deployment, questions of readiness are becoming central. These include regulatory preparedness, safety assurance frameworks, financing models, supply chain capacity, and public confidence—particularly in countries considering nuclear for the first time.

This session will explore how nuclear energy, including SMRs, can contribute to a resilient and low-carbon energy system in Asia. It will examine what is required to move from ambition to deployment, drawing on global experience while considering the region’s specific energy security and system integration needs.

Key Discussions:

• The evolving role of nuclear energy in global and Asian energy security and decarbonisation strategies
• Readiness conditions for nuclear deployment, including regulatory frameworks, safety governance, and institutional capacity 
• The potential role of SMRs in enabling flexible, scalable nuclear deployment
• Integration of nuclear with renewables in a reliable low-carbon power system
• Financing approaches and pathways for countries considering pursuing nuclear deployment
• Policy and regulatory readiness, including licensing frameworks

*Programme subject to change