The MoU was signed on 17 August by the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s (MTI’s) Permanent Secretary (Energy & Trade) Augustin Lee and China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) Vice-Chairman Liu Jing. The signing was witnessed by Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng and CAEA Chairman Shan Zhongde.
“The MoU will facilitate capability building partnerships between Singapore and China,” MTI said. “The MoU is part of Singapore’s recent engagements with a range of international partners, including the US, France, and the ROK, and will support Singapore’s efforts in developing independent capabilities to make an objective and technical assessment on the potential deployment of nuclear energy.”
The key areas for capability building partnerships covered under the MoU include: safety and technical assessments of nuclear reactor technologies; manpower training and scientific visits; public education, communications, and engagement; nuclear safety, safeguards, and security; and nuclear technology applications.
The background
In March 2022, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) – a statutory board under the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry – released a report that concluded nuclear energy could supply about 10% of the island city-state’s energy needs, helping its power sector achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In September last year, the EMA appointed UK-headquartered engineering firm Mott MacDonald to conduct a study on the safety and technical feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies. The study aims to evaluate the safety performance and technical feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies, such as small modular reactors, based on their safety features, technology maturity, and commercial readiness.
Delivering his Budget 2025 speech in February 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong – who is also Finance Minister – said the government would study the potential deployment of nuclear power in Singapore and take further steps to systematically build up capabilities in this area. “We will need new capabilities to evaluate options, and to consider if there is a solution that Singapore can deploy in a safe and cost-effective way,” he said.
