Nuclear power is back on Southeast Asia's energy agenda

Southeast Asian nations are reconsidering nuclear power amid rising electricity demand, driven by industries such as factories, electric vehicles, and data centers. No Southeast Asian country currently operates a commercial nuclear plant, but several are reviving stalled plans. Vietnam and South Korea have agreed to collaborate on the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear plant, while Singapore is studying nuclear power and small modular reactors (SMRs) with an open mind.

Vietnam aims to bring its Ninh Thuan plants online by 2035 and pursue at least one SMR project. Indonesia plans to generate 500 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2032, while the Philippines targets 1,200 megawatts. Thailand plans its first SMR for 2037, and Malaysia and Singapore remain in the study phase. This renewed interest contrasts sharply with the caution following Japan's 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Factors such as the war in Ukraine and the Middle East crisis have heightened energy-security concerns, prompting governments to explore nuclear energy as a solution to address climate change and energy security challenges. Small modular reactors (SMRs) have broadened the range of possible projects, making nuclear energy compatible with smaller grids and allowing for incremental investment.

However, several challenges remain, including high costs, the need to establish robust regulatory frameworks, and addressing potential risks associated with earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis. Public support varies, with more than 70% of Philippine respondents backing nuclear energy, while a significant portion of Indonesians view it as their least-preferred energy source.

The political will to proceed with nuclear adoption is contingent on public perception. Southeast Asian nations possess diverse national capacities and electricity systems, making the development of a common pathway for nuclear energy unlikely.