Singapore to develop local expertise in nuclear energy through three new schemes

The schemes will help build the capabilities to assess whether advanced nuclear energy technologies are suitable for power generation in Singapore.

The Tihange Nuclear Power Station in Tihange, Belgium, on Dec 23, 2021. (File photo: REUTERS/Johanna Geron)

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SINGAPORE: Singapore has launched three schemes to help develop a “strong pipeline of local expertise” in nuclear energy, the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Energy Market Authority (EMA) said on Monday (Oct 26).

The schemes will help build the capabilities to assess the suitability of advanced nuclear energy technologies for power generation in Singapore, METI and EMA said in a press release on Monday (Oct 26), the first day of Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW).

They will also help Singapore prepare for an assessment by international experts on the country's ability to make an informed decision on the potential deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies.

Known as the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission, the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment previously said the assessment would support the government in validating its progress and ensure that Singapore's capability development is advancing in the right direction.

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The EMA and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also announced on Monday that the inaugural IAEA@SIEW Forum would be held on Tuesday.

METI and EMA reiterated that Singapore has not made a decision on nuclear energy, but added that it is important to start building up domestic capabilities and familiarity with all aspects of civilian nuclear power development.

“This includes deepening Singapore’s understanding of the governance, management, licensing and regulatory requirements of nuclear energy to support informed decision-making,” said METI and EMA.

Speaking at SIEW, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said: "Should Singapore eventually decide to adopt nuclear power, the government is committed to upholding the highest standards of nuclear safety, of nuclear security, and safeguards in full accordance with our international obligations."

Dr Tan added that the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University are working towards launching a joint Master's programme in nuclear engineering next year to build the local talent pipeline.

"Even if Singapore eventually decides not to deploy nuclear energy, the capabilities and expertise we are developing today will continue to serve us well, particularly as interest in nuclear energy grows across Southeast Asia and around the world," he said.

Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng giving the Singapore Energy Lecture at the Singapore International Energy Week on Oct 26, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Alyssa Tan)

The three schemes announced on Monday are the Singapore Nuclear Manpower Development Programme, the Nuclear Manpower Development Programme (Industry) and the Singapore Future Energy Fellowship.

The Singapore Nuclear Manpower Development Programme will facilitate partnerships between Singapore government agencies and leading global nuclear organisations through structured programmes.

Public officers will gain practical insights into nuclear energy through on-the-job exposure and experience in areas such as technology assessment, project development, licensing and regulation frameworks.

For a start, EMA will be signing partnership agreements with three organisations: AtkinsRealis from Canada, China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas, and X-energy from the US.

This list will be expanded as more organisations come on board, and the programme will start next year and will be rolled out progressively in the coming years.

The Nuclear Manpower Development Programme (Industry) will focus on building up local companies so that they are in a good position to participate in commercial opportunities overseas.

The scheme will invite workers in selected Singapore-based companies to participate in training programmes and industry attachments with international partners.

Funding support will be provided, and the training will equip workers with the competencies to support their companies in advancing their nuclear strategy and efforts to build capability.

The third scheme, the Singapore Future Energy Fellowship, will bring in distinguished international energy leaders to provide advice on Singapore's long-term energy strategy, including low-carbon technologies such as nuclear energy.

Fellows who are part of the scheme will also support the development of future energy leaders, and share their expert perspectives with the government, industry, academia and the media.

The first batch of fellows with expertise in nuclear energy will be appointed this year to support Singapore's efforts in preparing for the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission next year.

Future batches may include experts in other areas such as other low-carbon pathways, grid infrastructure and planning.

NEW NUCLEAR ENERGY FORUM

Regarding the launch of the IAEA@SIEW forum, the EMA and the IAEA said more countries are exploring nuclear energy as a pathway, and the forum will play a key role in facilitating knowledge-sharing and informed discussions.

Policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, financiers and experts will come together to examine how the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the wider region can safely and responsibly harness the potential of nuclear energy.

Two panel sessions will cover the policy frameworks, financing structures and international partnerships associated with nuclear power programmes, as well as the infrastructure, supply chain, workforce and institutional capabilities that would need to be developed.

The forum builds on Singapore's efforts to develop capabilities in nuclear science, safety and technology, said EMA and IAEA.

EMA chief executive Puah Kok Keong said it is important to deepen international dialogue and share experiences on the safe and responsible development of nuclear energy.

"While Singapore has not made a decision on nuclear energy, there is value in learning from international experience as we continue to build our capabilities and assess its potential," he said.

IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi said nuclear energy can help Asia meet its growing demand for reliable power.

"The IAEA is there to support a country’s journey from beginning to end," he added.

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这些计划将有助于建立评估先进核能技术是否适合新加坡发电的能力。

2021年12月23日，比利时蒂昂日核电站。（资料照片：路透社/Johanna Geron）

这段音频是由人工智能工具生成的。

新加坡：新加坡能源、贸易和工业部 (METI) 和能源市场管理局 (EMA) 周一（10 月 26 日）表示，新加坡已推出三项计划，以帮助培养核能领域“强大的本地专业人才储备”。

新加坡经济产业省 (METI) 和环境管理署 (EMA) 在周一（10 月 26 日）新加坡国际能源周 (SIEW) 的第一天发布的新闻稿中表示，这些计划将有助于建立评估先进核能技术是否适合新加坡发电的能力。

他们还将帮助新加坡做好准备，接受国际专家对该国在潜在部署先进核能技术方面做出明智决策的能力的评估。

这项名为“综合核基础设施审查任务”的评估，此前由新加坡永续发展与环境部表示，将帮助政府验证其进展，并确保新加坡的能力发展朝着正确的方向前进。

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欧洲原子能机构 (EMA) 和国际原子能机构 (IAEA) 周一也宣布，首届 IAEA@SIEW 论坛将于周二举行。

经济产业省和环境管理署重申，新加坡尚未就核能问题做出决定，但补充说，重要的是开始建立国内能力，并熟悉民用核电发展的各个方面。

“这包括加深新加坡对核能治理、管理、许可和监管要求的了解，以支持知情决策，”经济产业省和环境管理署表示。

能源、贸易及工业部长（能源及工业）陈诗龙在新加坡国际能源周上发表讲话时表示：“如果新加坡最终决定采用核能，政府承诺将严格遵守最高的核安全标准、核安保标准和保障措施，完全履行我们的国际义务。”

陈博士补充说，新加坡国立大学和南洋理工大学正在努力于明年推出核工程联合硕士课程，以培养本地人才。

他说：“即使新加坡最终决定不发展核能，我们今天所培养的能力和专业知识也将继续对我们大有裨益，尤其是在东南亚乃至全世界对核能的兴趣日益增长的情况下。”

2026年10月26日，能源、贸易及工业部长（能源及工业）陈诗龙在新加坡国际能源周上发表新加坡能源讲座。（图片：CNA/Alyssa Tan）

周一宣布的三项计划分别是新加坡核能人才发展计划、核能人才发展计划（工业）和新加坡未来能源奖学金。

新加坡核能人才发展计划将通过结构化的项目，促进新加坡政府机构与全球领先的核能组织之间的合作。

公务员将通过在职实践和经验，在技术评估、项目开发、许可和监管框架等领域获得对核能的实践见解。

首先，EMA 将与三家机构签署合作协议：加拿大 AtkinsRealis 公司、中国核工业集团海外公司和美国的 X-energy 公司。

随着更多组织的加入，这份名单将会不断扩大，该计划将于明年启动，并在未来几年逐步推广。

核能人才发展计划（工业）将着重发展本地企业，使它们能够更好地参与海外商业机会。

该计划将邀请新加坡指定公司的员工参加与国际合作伙伴的培训计划和行业实习。

我们将提供资金支持，并通过培训使员工具备相应的能力，以支持其所在公司推进核能战略和能力建设。

第三项计划是新加坡未来能源奖学金，它将邀请杰出的国际能源领袖为新加坡的长期能源战略提供建议，包括核能等低碳技术。

参与该计划的研究员还将支持未来能源领导者的培养，并与政府、行业、学术界和媒体分享他们的专家见解。

今年将任命首批具有核能专业知识的研究员，以支持新加坡为明年的综合核基础设施审查团做准备。

未来的批次可能会包括其他领域的专家，例如其他低碳发展路径、电网基础设施和规划。

新核能论坛

关于 IAEA@SIEW 论坛的启动，欧洲原子能管理局和国际原子能机构表示，越来越多的国家正在探索核能作为一种发展途径，该论坛将在促进知识共享和知情讨论方面发挥关键作用。

政策制定者、监管机构、行业领袖、金融家和专家将齐聚一堂，探讨东南亚国家联盟及更广泛的地区如何安全、负责任地利用核能的潜力。

两场小组讨论将涵盖与核电项目相关的政策框架、融资结构和国际伙伴关系，以及需要发展的基础设施、供应链、劳动力和机构能力。

欧洲原子能机构和国际原子能机构表示，此次论坛建立在新加坡为发展核科学、安全和技术能力所做的努力之上。

EMA首席执行官蒲国强表示，深化国际对话、分享安全负责地发展核能的经验非常重要。

他说：“虽然新加坡尚未就核能问题做出决定，但借鉴国际经验对于我们不断提升自身能力和评估核能潜力具有重要价值。”

国际原子能机构总干事拉斐尔·马里亚诺·格罗西表示，核能可以帮助亚洲满足其日益增长的可靠电力需求。

“国际原子能机构会从始至终支持一个国家的整个发展历程，”他补充道。

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