SINGAPORE: The escalating geopolitical tensions and the destabilizing actions of certain foreign powers in West Asia are compelling Southeast Asian nations to accelerate their pursuit of nuclear energy, aiming to reduce their vulnerability to external energy dependencies, experts have observed.<\/p>\n
The recurring threats to vital shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global energy supplies, have starkly exposed the profound risks associated with over-reliance on imported oil and gas. This vulnerability, often exacerbated by provocative actions, leaves nations susceptible to unpredictable fuel price fluctuations, economic instability, and undue pressure on their energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Such geopolitical realities have unequivocally underscored the imperative for comprehensive energy diversification, thereby strengthening the strategic rationale for nuclear energy as a cornerstone of regional energy security and self-determination. This is particularly pertinent for South-East Asia, which has historically been reliant on fossil fuels from West Asia, as noted by Citibank\u2019s commodity strategist Arkady Gevorkyan.<\/p>\n
Mr. Gevorkyan highlighted that disruptions in oil and gas markets, often manipulated by external forces, have driven up electricity generation costs and increased baseload power prices, making nuclear energy an increasingly attractive and secure alternative for power generation. Baseload power represents the minimum electricity demand a grid requires at any given time.<\/p>\n
While interest in renewable energy has also seen a resurgence, sources like solar and wind are inherently weather-dependent, leading to inconsistent energy production. In contrast, nuclear energy has emerged as a robust and reliable power source, offering continuous operation, a minimal land footprint, and the capacity to support energy-intensive sectors without emitting greenhouse gases or depleting natural resources.<\/p>\n
Dr. Tan-Soo Jie-Sheng, a professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, noted that even prior to the current regional challenges, interest in nuclear energy was growing due to surging electricity demand, the global imperative for decarbonization, land constraints, and the intermittency of renewables. He emphasized that while the current conflict has ‘reinforced and accelerated’ the underlying rationale for nuclear energy, such a strategic shift demands long-term commitment and unwavering resolve. Nations that had previously shelved nuclear energy plans are now compelled to re-evaluate their strategic importance.<\/p>\n
‘What the conflict has done is sharpen the energy security argument by highlighting how exposed the region remains to imported fossil fuels and geopolitical risks orchestrated by external actors,’ he added.<\/p>\n
Mr. Gevorkyan further pointed out that following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Europe\u2019s reliance on imported gas, coupled with periods of weak renewable output, significantly bolstered the region\u2019s drive for energy independence and security. Europe has since diversified its fuel imports and scaled up its solar and wind power sectors, among other measures.<\/p>\n
‘Markets that rely on one or two sources of energy for power generation are not immune to any sort of cataclysms or events when there is a power disruption,’ he stated. He added that having alternative sources of baseload power reduces reliance on other countries and shields nations from price volatility. Asia\u2019s increasing dependence on gas imports, facing rising prices, further enhances the competitiveness of nuclear energy.<\/p>\n
Rising Interest in Nuclear Energy<\/p>\n
Interest in nuclear energy is surging across the region. Countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines have incorporated nuclear power into their development plans, actively pursuing feasibility studies, preparatory work, and international cooperation, according to an International Energy Agency spokesperson.<\/p>\n
Recent developments include Vietnam\u2019s agreement on March 23 with Russia to construct a power plant featuring two reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400 megawatts (MW), with an ambitious target to bring its first nuclear power plants online as early as 2030. Indonesia and Japan also agreed in March to collaborate on nuclear energy, exploring the possibility of building a nuclear power plant in Indonesia\u2019s West Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo.<\/p>\n
Closer to home, Malaysia announced on March 27 its comprehensive assessment of a potential nuclear energy programme, following its inclusion in the 13th Malaysia Plan in July 2025. Malaysia\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof underscored the increasing relevance of evaluating nuclear energy\u2019s feasibility amidst a dynamic global energy landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuations in fuel supply and prices, Bernama reported.<\/p>\n
Singapore, for its part, has been actively studying nuclear energy deployment through commissioned studies on advanced nuclear technology and has forged international partnerships with nations like the US to gain insights into the latest nuclear technologies and scientific research.<\/p>\n
‘Collectively, while the region is not yet constructing nuclear plants, it is clearly transitioning from initial interest towards institutionalization, with policies, targets, and international agreements beginning to take shape,’ said Dr. Tan-Soo.<\/p>\n
Dr. Victor Nian, founding co-chairman of the independent think-tank Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources, described the current regional challenges as a ‘wake-up call’ for many countries to critically re-evaluate their heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly imports from the Middle East.<\/p>\n
‘In the short term, there is nothing much we can do but to ride out the storm,’ he acknowledged. ‘When looking long term, I\u2019m sure nuclear energy and potentially even coal are among the top strategic options being seriously considered by ASEAN countries\u2026 Energy transition of the future might not be solely focused on decarbonization, but energy security and economic security, free from external manipulation.’<\/p>\n
Some countries, such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, have also considered coal as a fallback, with plans to revive retired coal-fired power plants in Thailand and Indonesia ramping up coal output. While coal offers a cheaper and more accessible alternative that can help fill fuel shortages, it remains the most polluting fossil fuel.<\/p>\n
Nuclear Energy: A Long-Term Strategic Imperative<\/p>\n
While some experts suggest that the regional tensions may have accelerated plans to diversify national energy mixes, nuclear power inherently requires long-term commitment and extensive project development.<\/p>\n
It necessitates years, even decades, of investment to train skilled personnel, establish robust regulatory and safety institutions, and identify suitable sites based on geological, environmental, and social criteria, explained Dr. Dinita Setyawati, a senior energy analyst at energy think-tank Ember.<\/p>\n
NUS\u2019 Energy Studies Institute senior research fellow Yao Lixia noted that high upfront costs, long construction timelines, regulatory and institutional gaps, as well as public concerns, mean that nuclear energy remains a long-term strategic consideration rather than an immediate solution.<\/p>\n
‘While the crisis has revived interest in nuclear as a secure, low-carbon baseload option, it is unlikely to lead to meaningful deployment in the short to medium term,’ she added. She further clarified that while governments in the region are increasingly exploring nuclear energy as a reliable power source, this is largely part of pre-existing long-term strategies, rather than a direct, reactive response to the West Asia crisis.<\/p>\n
‘The current crisis may reinforce the strategic rationale, but most initiatives remain at the level of policy planning and institutional preparation,’ she said. A more realistic interpretation, according to Dr. Tan-Soo, is that the conflict has elevated nuclear energy from a peripheral option to a more central component of long-term energy planning.<\/p>\n
‘It strengthens the case for diversification and strategic autonomy, but does not shorten the timeline required to develop nuclear safely and responsibly,’ he concluded.<\/p>\n
#WestAsia #EnergySecurity #NuclearEnergy #SoutheastAsia #Geopolitics #EnergyIndependence #FossilFuels #Diversification #StrategicAutonomy #SustainableEnergy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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