Making Nuclear Power Accessible: Strategies to Increase Nuclear Energy Literacy Across Southeast Asia
Current Status of Nuclear Energy Development in Southeast Asia
There has been growing momentum toward nuclear energy in Southeast Asia (ASEAN), with Indonesia and the Philippines leading the charge. As these countries seek to meet rising electricity demand and reduce carbon emissions, nuclear power has emerged as an appealing option. With carbon-free baseload electricity generation, nuclear energy can support continued economic growth and development in the region.
Indonesia has reaffirmed its nuclear ambitions through its Energy Sector Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions. Under the plan, Indonesia aims to have 52 GW of nuclear capacity online by 2060, with nuclear plants potentially coming online as early as 2039. Similarly, the Philippines is aggressively ramping up efforts to incorporate nuclear energy into its energy mix. Facing rising electricity demand, high costs, and heavy dependence on imported coal, the Philippines has proposed a strategic energy plan with nuclear energy playing a major role. The plan calls for 1,200 MW of nuclear capacity by 2032, increasing to 2,400 MW by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050. Even Singapore is now considering nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy strategy. Singapore's Energy 2050 Committee report mapped out three scenarios for the country's future energy mix. In one of the scenarios, concluded that advancements in nuclear technology could enable nuclear power to provide around 10% of Singapore's electricity needs by 2050. With improved safety and reliability, nuclear energy is emerging as a viable zero-carbon option for Singapore.
Brief overview of public knowledge regarding nuclear energy in ASEAN
As interest in nuclear energy grows across Southeast Asia, developing sufficient nuclear literacy will be critical. Nuclear literacy encompasses the technical knowledge, skills, and policy expertise required to deploy nuclear technology safely, securely, and responsibly. Governments, regulators, utilities, and civil society organizations all play key roles in educating various stakeholders and the broader public on nuclear power. With the right knowledge and transparent, two-way dialogue, countries can build public trust and confidence in their nuclear programs. Robust nuclear literacy also ensures the development of competent workforces to oversee and operate nuclear infrastructure. Through systematic education and training, Southeast Asian nations pursuing nuclear energy can empower informed citizens and skilled professionals to serve as ambassadors of the technology’s potential. With wise long-term investment in human capital, the region can realize the promise of nuclear energy to provide clean, reliable electricity for current and future generations.
However, according to a 2021 study conducted by NTU Singapore’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, public support for nuclear energy development varies across Southeast Asia. The study surveyed 1,000 people each in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand through door-to-door questionnaires. It found that more than half of the respondents in every country were against nuclear energy development. The highest level of support was in Indonesia at 39%, followed by Singapore at 22%, Vietnam at 21%, Malaysia at 20%, and Thailand at just 3%.
Separately, a 2019 public survey commissioned by the Philippine Department of Energy found more positive attitudes towards nuclear power among Filipinos. The results showed 79% approval for rehabilitating the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant and 65% support for constructing a new nuclear power plant. This indicates openness to expanding the role of nuclear energy in the Philippine energy mix according to the Philippine Energy Development Plan 2018-2040.
Nuclear Literacy in Bangladesh
Economically, Bangladesh, a South Asian country, has a lower GDP compared to some ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. However, Bangladesh has demonstrated a more robust nuclear energy program initiative compared to these ASEAN nations. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) is currently under construction, and its first two units, with a total capacity of 2400 MW, are expected to become operational in 2023 and 2024, respectively. This power plant is based on the VVER-1200 AES 2006 model, representing a Gen III+ reactor.
By 2030, the government of Bangladesh aims to generate at least 4000 MWe of electricity from nuclear power, which would account for approximately 10% of the total targeted electricity generation. Furthermore, the government is in the preparatory stages for the construction of a second nuclear power plant. We will delve deeper into Bangladesh's nuclear energy program, with a particular focus on nuclear literacy.
A study conducted in 2010 by A.S. Molah indicated that, at that time, public acceptance of nuclear energy development in Bangladesh exceeded 60%. However, a more recent study in 2022 by Iqbal Hosan et al. highlights significant knowledge gaps and misconceptions among the Bangladeshi public regarding nuclear power. This comprehensive study utilized a survey with responses from 661 individuals, addressing 24 key questions related to nuclear energy. Surprisingly, it was found that 33% of respondents claimed to possess "not much" knowledge about nuclear power, while 44% considered their knowledge level as "moderate." Only 19% self-reported having a "well" level of knowledge, and merely 4% admitted to having no knowledge whatsoever about nuclear power. The study ultimately concludes that there is an urgent need for improved communication strategies and awareness campaigns to enhance nuclear literacy in Bangladesh.
Strategies to improve nuclear energy literacy
Public acceptance of nuclear power depends on many factors, not just nuclear literacy alone. While an informed public can enable better discussions, literacy by itself does not guarantee acceptance. The discussion above suggests that lacking broad knowledge about nuclear energy does not necessarily mean low approval of nuclear power development in a country. Public acceptance of nuclear power plants is influenced by multiple factors, with nuclear literacy being just one. A well-informed population is generally beneficial for fostering informed discussions and decision-making, but it may not guarantee public acceptance on its own. Achieving broader public acceptance of nuclear power would require a holistic approach, including transparent communication, safety assurances, and addressing broader socio-economic and environmental concerns. In summary, nuclear literacy matters but is not the sole determinant of public attitudes.
There are several benefits to having citizens with a high level of nuclear literacy, as follows:
A nuclear-literate public can better understand the risks and tradeoffs associated with nuclear power and make informed decisions about energy policy.
Citizens who understand basic nuclear science are less likely to have irrational fears about radiation and nuclear technology.
A population knowledgeable about nuclear physics and engineering can provide a talent pipeline for maintaining expertise in the nuclear industry and advancing nuclear science.
To increase public knowledge and support for nuclear energy, policymakers and industry leaders across Southeast Asia should implement multifaceted outreach campaigns. Strategies could include:
Incorporating nuclear science and technology curricula into education systems, beginning at the secondary school level. This would familiarize younger generations with the fundamentals of nuclear power early on.
Launching public awareness initiatives that clearly communicate the costs, risks, and benefits of nuclear energy compared to other electricity sources. This includes transparently addressing concerns around radiation, safety, and waste disposal.
Partnering with civil society organizations to hold community meetings, distribute informational materials, and find trusted voices to discuss nuclear power. Engaging on the local level can make a significant impact.
Utilizing mediums like social media, TV, radio, and newspapers to share updates on nuclear technology and new reactor projects. Multimedia campaigns can spark broad interest.
Creating cultural exhibits, science centers, and site tours highlighting nuclear applications in medicine, agriculture, industry etc. Showcasing diverse uses makes nuclear more relatable.
Targeted outreach and education will be critical if Southeast Asian nations wish to build widespread acceptance of nuclear power. With the right strategies, countries can dispel misconceptions, emphasize benefits, and get citizens onboard with nuclear energy deployment.
