Singapore commissions studies to deepen capabilities in nuclear safety, regulation and environmental protection

Singapore and the Philippines have agreed to explore collaborations in nuclear energy, says Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng.

Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng speaking during Singapore International Energy Week, Oct 27, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Alyssa Tan)

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SINGAPORE: The National Environment Agency (NEA) has commissioned three studies to deepen Singapore’s capabilities in nuclear safety , regulation and environmental protection, it announced on Tuesday (Oct 27).

The studies are part of Singapore’s preparations for the first phase of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review in 2027.

These capability-building efforts will support Singapore in studying the potential deployment of nuclear energy, said the agency.

Speaking at the inaugural forum co-organised by IAEA and Singapore International Energy Week, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said Singapore and the Philippines have agreed to explore collaborations in nuclear energy.

As Singapore takes over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chairmanship in 2027 , it will work to deepen regional collaboration and discourse, including through the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy and Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-Sector Network, he added.

Earlier this month, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr reportedly signalled his willingness to explore nuclear energy cooperation with Singapore.

According to Philippine media reports, he discussed the possibility during his visit to the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI).

Countries in Asia and Southeast Asia face a major challenge to meet the increasing amounts of energy needed by their economies while strengthening energy security and advancing their net-zero ambitions, said Dr Tan on Tuesday.

While nuclear energy has emerged as a "promising solution", a nuclear power programme is a "complex endeavour", he added.

“Many studies need to be done before we can make an informed decision on deploying nuclear energy,” he said.

“Expertise has to be strengthened across a wide range of dimensions, from workforce development to financing; from legislation to framework regulation and industry development.”

IAEA can guide countries with internationally recognised standards and best practices, said Dr Tan. Its approach provides countries new to nuclear energy with a structured framework for considering and preparing for a nuclear power programme.

“Following internationally recognised approaches can also build confidence among regional partners and the wider international community.”

In the area of nuclear safety, IAEA works closely with Singapore and its regional partners to strengthen coordination and preparedness for nuclear emergencies, he added.

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BUILDING UP CAPABILITIES

The three studies will examine international regulations and environmental standards of nuclear facilities, international nuclear safety standards and requirements, and the potential environmental implications of a nuclear power plant.

The three appointed firms are Enconet Consulting, AtkinsRealis Singapore and Environmental Resources Management (S).

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has also appointed a panel of consultants to support Singapore’s preparations for the upcoming review in 2027.

The consultants are:

AtkinsRealis Singapore

EY Corporate Advisors

Kellogg Brown and Root Asia Pacific

Mott Macdonald Singapore

Pinsent Masons Mpillay

The Boston Consulting Group

The panel will cover three key areas: technical and economic issues like nuclear safety and security; legal and regulatory framework for nuclear energy; as well as organisational matters like procurement and management systems.

The authority will appoint a second panel of technical advisers to support Singapore’s nuclear energy capability building efforts by the end of 2026, it said.

NEA reiterated that the government has not made a decision on the deployment of nuclear energy in Singapore.

Describing nuclear energy as a long-term undertaking, Dr Tan said that clear government policies are important to provide confidence to the public, industry and investors.

“At the same time, the scale and the complexity of nuclear projects mean that strong international partnerships and viable financing models will be critical, especially for newcomer countries,” he said.

As new technologies develop, countries must build the capabilities to independently assess their own safety and suitability, he said, stressing the need for the highest safety and security standards.

Singapore is building up its expertise and capabilities early to support the assessment of advanced nuclear energy technologies, said Dr Tan.

Countries across the world will be at different stages of their respective journeys, he added.

"But we will all share a common interest in ensuring that nuclear energy, where pursued, is developed safely, securely and responsibly," he said.

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新加坡能源、贸易及工业部长（能源及工业）陈思龙表示，新加坡和菲律宾已同意探讨在核能领域开展合作。

2026年10月27日，能源、贸易及工业部长（能源及工业）陈诗龙博士在新加坡国际能源周上发表讲话。（图片：CNA/Alyssa Tan）

这段音频是由人工智能工具生成的。

新加坡：国家环境局（NEA）周二（10月27日）宣布，已委托开展三项研究，以加深新加坡在核安全、监管和环境保护方面的能力。

这些研究是新加坡为迎接国际原子能机构（IAEA）2027 年第一阶段综合核基础设施审查所做的准备工作的一部分。

该机构表示，这些能力建设工作将支持新加坡研究核能的潜在部署。

在国际原子能机构和新加坡国际能源周联合举办的首届论坛上，能源、贸易和工业部长（能源和工业）陈世龙表示，新加坡和菲律宾已同意探索在核能领域的合作。

他补充说，随着新加坡在 2027 年接任东南亚国家联盟（东盟）轮值主席国，它将致力于深化区域合作与对话，包括通过东盟原子能和核能监管机构网络合作子部门网络。

据报道，本月初，菲律宾总统小费迪南德·马科斯表示愿意与新加坡探讨核能合作。

据菲律宾媒体报道，他在访问新加坡核研究与安全研究所（SNRSI）期间讨论了这种可能性。

谭博士周二表示，亚洲和东南亚国家面临着一项重大挑战，即在满足其经济日益增长的能源需求的同时，加强能源安全并推进其净零排放目标。

他补充说，虽然核能已成为一种“有前景的解决方案”，但核电项目是一项“复杂的工程”。

他说：“在对核能的部署做出明智的决定之前，还需要进行许多研究。”

“必须在各个方面加强专业知识，从劳动力发展到融资；从立法到框架监管和行业发展。”

谭博士表示，国际原子能机构可以利用国际公认的标准和最佳实践来指导各国。其方法为那些尚未涉足核能领域的国家提供了一个结构化的框架，帮助它们考虑和准备核电项目。

“遵循国际公认的做法也有助于增强区域伙伴和更广泛的国际社会的信心。”

他补充说，在核安全领域，国际原子能机构与新加坡及其区域伙伴密切合作，以加强协调和应对核紧急情况的准备工作。

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能力建设

这三项研究将考察核设施的国际法规和环境标准、国际核安全标准和要求，以及核电站可能对环境造成的影响。

获委任的三家公司分别是 Enconet Consulting、AtkinsRealis Singapore 和 Environmental Resources Management (S)。

能源市场管理局（EMA）也已任命一个顾问小组，以支持新加坡为即将于 2027 年进行的审查做好准备。

顾问包括：

AtkinsRealis 新加坡

安永企业顾问

凯洛格布朗和路特亚太区

莫特麦克唐纳新加坡

品诚梅森律师事务所

波士顿咨询集团

小组将涵盖三个关键领域：核安全和安保等技术和经济问题；核能的法律和监管框架；以及采购和管理体系等组织问题。

该机构表示，将在 2026 年底前任命第二批技术顾问小组，以支持新加坡的核能能力建设工作。

新加坡国家环境局重申，政府尚未就新加坡部署核能做出决定。

陈博士将核能描述为一项长期事业，并表示明确的政府政策对于增强公众、行业和投资者的信心至关重要。

“与此同时，核能项目的规模和复杂性意味着，强大的国际伙伴关系和可行的融资模式至关重要，特别是对于新兴国家而言，”他说道。

他表示，随着新技术的发展，各国必须建立独立评估自身安全性和适用性的能力，并强调需要最高的安全保障标准。

陈博士表示，新加坡正在及早积累专业知识和能力，以支持对先进核能技术的评估。

他补充说，世界各国将处于各自旅程的不同阶段。

他说：“但我们都将拥有共同的利益，那就是确保核能（如果要开发的话）以安全、可靠和负责任的方式进行开发。”

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