ASEAN Goes Nuclear: Significant Moves Towards Nuclear Power Era
The acceleration of the energy transition in Southeast Asia is entering a new phase: the beginning of the nuclear energy era. Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are increasingly committed to adopting nuclear technology as part of their national decarbonization and energy diversification strategies. Recent progress by countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand is now being followed by Malaysia and Singapore. This move is not only driven by the increasing demand for clean, stable, and sustainable energy but also by geographical limitations, land constraints, and the intermittent nature of renewables in many member states.
A key milestone came on 25 July 2025, when Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), delivered a lecture at the National University of Singapore (NUS) titled “Working Towards the Safe, Secure, and Peaceful Use of Nuclear Science & Technology in Southeast Asia.” His visit underscored the IAEA's support for ASEAN’s readiness, especially Singapore’s, to enter the nuclear era. Grossi remarked that Singapore could have its first nuclear power plant within just a few years, potentially in collaboration with neighboring ASEAN countries.
Malaysia also recently signaled strong intent through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) toward negotiating a 123 Agreement, a critical legal framework enabling civilian nuclear cooperation with the United States. This marks a significant shift: ASEAN is no longer merely considering nuclear energy but is actively laying the groundwork for strategic deployment.
Other ASEAN countries have shown prior commitments to nuclear development. Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand have, for several years, pursued nuclear initiatives, focusing particularly on adopting advanced nuclear reactor designs such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs), often in partnership with international entities. So how are these countries organizing their nuclear agendas, and what strategies can ensure ASEAN's nuclear success in the years ahead?
ASEAN’s Recent Moves Toward a Nuclear Power Era
Singapore, despite its small geographic size, is viewed as an ideal model for SMR deployment. SMRs are considered highly suitable for Singapore due to their compact size, safety, and adaptability to urban environments. During his visit, Grossi emphasized that "Singapore could be the most perfect example of a country that needs nuclear energy," citing the country’s limited land and high dependency on natural gas (95%). With a solid foundation in technology, regulation, finance, and human capital, Singapore is well-positioned to begin a nuclear program. While nuclear use in Singapore currently centers on medicine, industry, and environmental monitoring, feasibility studies are underway, particularly for SMRs as part of its Net Zero Emissions (NZE) 2050 goal. Future developments may include cross-border cooperation with other ASEAN nations following regional collaboration models.
Malaysia is reintroducing nuclear power into its long-term energy strategy after years of delay. Following the MoU toward a 123 Agreement with the U.S., the government is reviving national nuclear planning, initially focusing on SMRs for remote locations in Peninsular Malaysia. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who also serves as Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation, confirmed that nuclear energy is officially being considered as a national energy option, with public engagement, international partnerships, and transparency as its key pillars. Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang also announced a benchmarking mission to Russia to study floating SMR units, nuclear energy cycles, and legal and safety frameworks.
Indonesia recently reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear energy through an MoU signed between PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP) and ThorCon International Pte. Ltd. on 24 July 2025 to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bangka Belitung Province. The study includes reactor technology, safety, operational, financial, and partnership scheme evaluations, with opportunities to involve subsidiaries or affiliates in its implementation. This initiative aligns with Indonesia’s 2025–2034 Electricity Supply Plan (Rencana Usaha Penyediaan Tenaga Listrik, RUPTL) and NZE 2060 roadmap, with the first NPP targeted for 2032–2033. Indonesia’s significant uranium and nuclear material reserves also position it as a future key player in the global nuclear fuel supply chain.
The Philippines, under its Long-Term Nuclear Energy Program (NEP), targets 1,200 MW of nuclear capacity by 2032, another 1,200 MW by 2035, and 4,800 MW by 2050. The program is expected to enhance workforce productivity and serve as a cost-efficient mitigation solution for decarbonization. Vietnam, through its revised Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8), aims to operate the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 NPPs between 2030–2035 (4,000–6,400 MW total), with an additional 8,000 MW planned by 2050. These projects are bound by strict safety standards and N-2 reliability criteria. Meanwhile, Thailand, through the draft PDP 2024, envisions nuclear contributing 1% to national electricity generation by 2037, starting with two 300 MW SMR units operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
Strategic Challenges in ASEAN Nuclear Energy Collaboration
As a regional body built on principles of consensus, cooperation, and non-interference, ASEAN faces distinct challenges in fostering cross-border nuclear energy collaboration. Although there have been positive steps, such as the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), progress toward regional energy integration remains slow due to nationalistic policy preferences. Key obstacles include the following:
Regulatory and Technical Harmonization: Member states have varying national energy plans and policies, making cross-border alignment difficult. A common regulatory framework is essential to facilitate regional electricity trade.
Financing and Investment: Massive infrastructure projects require significant funding, with mobilizing public-private financing remaining a major hurdle.
Unequal Infrastructure Development: Not all ASEAN countries possess the same level of grid infrastructure, hindering integration and interoperability.
Technical Coordination: Synchronized networks and shared operational standards demand complex regional cooperation.
For nuclear energy, these challenges are further compounded:
Cooperative Infrastructure Requirements: Nuclear integration calls for complex regulatory and technical coordination, especially in nuclear safety and non-proliferation. Bodies like the Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-Sector Network (NEC-SSN) and ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) are critical in facilitating knowledge-sharing and safety practices.
Geopolitical Tensions: Border disputes (e.g., Thailand–Cambodia) risk disrupting economic and energy cooperation. However, Grossi emphasized that such conflicts should not hinder economic progress or nuclear development.
Public Perception: Negative views on nuclear risks, shaped by events like Fukushima, remain a barrier. ASEAN must proactively foster public nuclear literacy and transparency to secure public support.
Lessons from Global Models of Nuclear Cooperation
ASEAN can draw critical insights from global nuclear cooperation frameworks, particularly the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), jointly operated by Slovenia and Croatia. Despite historical and political complexities, Krško exemplifies a successful bilateral nuclear partnership. Owned and operated by Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško (NEK), a joint venture between Croatia's Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP Group) and Slovenia's GEN Energija, the plant supplies electricity exclusively to both nations, with each holding a 50% stake. Operating in base-load mode with high capacity factors since 1983, Krško meets approximately 20% of Slovenia’s and 16% of Croatia’s electricity needs. Its sustained success is underpinned by several foundational elements:
Clearly Defined, Binding Legal Commitments: Krško's foundation rests on a robust legal framework, including an intergovernmental agreement, a treaty on co-ownership and operational rights, and the establishment of a distinct legal entity for plant management. These instruments are designed to remain effective irrespective of political changes.
Shared Operational and Financial Responsibilities: Both countries equally manage operational and financial aspects, including major investments, maintenance, fuel cycle management, and electricity distribution.
Harmonized Regulatory and Oversight Mechanisms: Despite being sovereign states, Slovenia and Croatia maintain coordinated regulatory and safety oversight systems for Krško.
Transparent Communication and Dispute Resolution Frameworks: The model includes structured mechanisms for communication among co-owners, the plant operator, and the public, ensuring accountability and conflict resolution.
ASEAN, aspiring to regional nuclear cooperation, must emulate these structural features, particularly in shared infrastructure planning and legal harmonization, despite prevalent nationalistic policy preferences. This would require substantial early investments in trust-building and institutional development.
Additionally, the role of supranational institutions such as the EU and Euratom is vital. Their legal and regulatory frameworks provide overarching support that facilitates such cooperation. ASEAN lacks similarly binding orders. Therefore, it may be necessary to strengthen the mandates of existing regional bodies like the NEC-SSN and ASEANTOM or consider developing a legally binding regional nuclear framework.
Beyond Krško, broader European energy cooperation models offer transferable lessons. The Nordic Power Market (Nord Pool), although not specific to nuclear energy, demonstrates successful regional integration through cross-border electricity trade, grid synchronization, and harmonized market rules. Countries like Sweden and Finland, with active nuclear sectors, contribute to this model, which supports energy security through interconnected grids.
Looking ahead, ASEAN stands at a critical turning point, no longer merely exploring but actively preparing for the strategic deployment of nuclear energy. This shift is driven by the urgent need to decarbonize, diversify energy sources, and overcome geographical constraints, land limitations, and the intermittency of renewables. Member states, particularly Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, are making notable progress through initiatives centered on SMRs and FNPPs, often in collaboration with international partners. Strong endorsements from global institutions, including IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s visit and support, further affirm the region’s readiness to embrace this next chapter in energy development. A key milestone in this journey will be the 10th edition of the Asia Nuclear Business Platform (ANBP) 2025, scheduled for 9–11 December 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This premier forum will convene policymakers, global stakeholders, and industry leaders to shape the next phase of ASEAN’s nuclear trajectory, reinforcing its commitment to a secure, sustainable, and regionally integrated energy future.
