Southeast Asian governments are reconsidering nuclear power due to increasing electricity demand, energy security concerns, and climate commitments. Currently, no Southeast Asian nation operates a commercial nuclear power plant, but several countries are reviving plans that had been stalled for years.
On September 8, Vietnam's state-owned Petrovietnam and South Korea's KEPCO agreed to enhance cooperation on the planned Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear plant. Six days later, Singapore's government announced it is studying nuclear power and small modular reactors (SMRs) with an open mind, although no decision has been made. Vietnam aims to operationalize its two Ninh Thuan plants by 2035 and pursue at least one SMR project.
Indonesia plans to develop an initial 500 megawatts of nuclear capacity, targeting operations to begin in 2032, while the Philippines is working towards its first 1,200 MW of nuclear capacity from the same year. Thailand's latest draft power plan includes its first SMR in 2037, while Malaysia and Singapore remain in the study phase.
This renewed interest in nuclear energy marks a shift from the caution observed after Japan's Fukushima disaster in 2011, which halted several countries' nuclear plans. Alvin Chew, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, noted that geopolitical shocks in recent years have altered the energy debate. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that Southeast Asia's electricity generation has increased by approximately 60% since 2015, primarily from coal, which has raised its share of regional generation from 37% to 47%.
The ongoing war in Ukraine and the Middle East crisis have intensified energy security concerns, despite most Southeast Asian governments committing to net-zero emissions by 2050 or 2060. The region's electricity demand is projected to grow by an average of 5.3% annually between 2026 and 2030. Chew stated that nuclear energy is viewed as a viable solution to address both climate and energy security challenges.
Modern technology has evolved significantly since the Fukushima incident, with SMRs allowing for smaller, more flexible projects. Jie-Sheng Tan-Soo, assistant professor and director at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, explained that SMRs can be added incrementally, making nuclear energy more compatible with smaller grids and countries. However, many SMR designs are still in early deployment stages, and the promise of reduced costs through mass production has yet to be proven.
The rapid growth of data centers, which require substantial and reliable electricity, is also driving renewed interest in nuclear energy. The IEA anticipates that electricity consumption from Southeast Asian data centers will more than double by 2030. Over 70% of existing regional data-center capacity is located in Singapore and Johor, Malaysia.
Countries are now approaching nuclear energy with a greater focus on governance and regulatory capacity than in previous attempts. However, challenges remain, including the need for significant time and financial investment, the establishment of independent regulators, and the development of systems for radioactive waste management and emergency response.
Geographical vulnerabilities, such as earthquakes and tsunamis, complicate site selection and emergency planning for nuclear plants. Additionally, the establishment of reliable state institutions is crucial for the long-term success of nuclear energy initiatives.
Public support for nuclear energy varies across the region. A Philippine government survey indicated that over 70% of respondents supported nuclear energy's potential role in electricity generation, while an Indonesian survey found that 78% of respondents ranked nuclear as their least-preferred energy source. Chew emphasized that political will, influenced by public perception, is a significant obstacle to the adoption of nuclear energy.
Southeast Asia's diverse national capacities and electricity systems suggest that a unified approach to nuclear energy is unlikely. Vietnam is focusing on large conventional plants, while Indonesia and Thailand are prioritizing SMRs, and Singapore is still assessing its nuclear options. Tan-Soo noted that there is more political momentum for nuclear power in Southeast Asia today than a decade ago, and some countries may ultimately deploy it. However, transitioning from announcing nuclear ambitions to financing, licensing, constructing, and safely operating a reactor remains a substantial challenge.