Nuclear Energy and Climate Change: A Low-Carbon Solution for Singapore

Singapore faces a unique energy challenge. As a small, densely populated city-state with limited land and few indigenous energy resources, the country must balance three priorities: energy security, economic competitiveness, and climate action. At the same time, Singapore has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, making the transition to cleaner energy increasingly important.

One potential solution being studied is nuclear energy.

Nuclear power could provide Singapore with a reliable source of low-carbon electricity while reducing dependence on natural gas. However, nuclear energy is not a simple answer. Safety, radioactive waste management, cost, technology maturity, emergency preparedness, and Singapore's geographical constraints all need to be carefully evaluated.

For Singapore, therefore, the question is not whether nuclear energy is automatically the answer to climate change. The more important question is whether advanced nuclear technologies can safely and economically complement solar power, regional electricity imports, energy efficiency, and other low-carbon solutions.

Singapore's Climate and Energy Challenge

Singapore's electricity system is heavily dependent on natural gas. In 2024, natural gas accounted for approximately 94% of the country's fuel mix, reflecting the country's limited access to large-scale renewable energy resources.

Natural gas produces fewer carbon emissions than coal and oil when burned for electricity, but it remains a fossil fuel. Consequently, continued dependence on gas presents a challenge as Singapore moves toward deeper decarbonisation.

Singapore's power sector is particularly important because electricity generation accounts for about 40% of the country's emissions. The government is therefore exploring several pathways to transform the electricity system, including solar power, regional power grids, emerging low-carbon technologies, and natural gas as a transitional energy source.

Singapore has also strengthened its climate targets. The country aims to reduce emissions to 45–50 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent by 2035, compared with its earlier 2030 target of around 60 million tonnes, and remains committed to net zero emissions by 2050.

These targets make the search for reliable low-carbon electricity increasingly important.

Why Consider Nuclear Energy in Singapore?

Nuclear energy has one major climate advantage: nuclear reactors generate electricity without directly producing carbon dioxide from the reactor's operation.

Unlike fossil-fuel power stations, nuclear reactors do not burn coal, oil, or natural gas to produce heat. Instead, energy released through nuclear fission produces heat, which is used to generate steam and ultimately electricity.

Nuclear power can also provide electricity continuously. This characteristic is particularly relevant to Singapore because solar power, while highly promising, depends on available sunlight.

Singapore has made substantial progress in solar deployment. However, land constraints limit how much solar power the country can generate domestically. The government has indicated that solar could supply only a portion of projected electricity demand in the longer term.

This creates an important role for firm, low-carbon electricity.

If advanced nuclear reactors can meet Singapore's stringent requirements, nuclear power could potentially complement solar energy by providing dependable electricity when solar generation is unavailable.

Nuclear Energy and Singapore's Net-Zero Strategy

Nuclear energy should not be viewed as a replacement for renewable energy. Instead, it could become one component of a broader low-carbon energy mix.

Singapore's current approach includes four major energy pathways: solar energy, regional power grids, emerging low-carbon alternatives, and natural gas.

Nuclear energy could potentially fit within the "emerging low-carbon alternatives" category.

A diversified electricity system could reduce reliance on any single technology. Solar could provide domestic renewable electricity; regional interconnections could provide access to renewable energy from neighbouring countries; energy storage could improve flexibility; and advanced nuclear technologies could potentially provide reliable low-carbon generation.

Such diversification could strengthen both climate resilience and energy security.

What Are Small Modular Reactors?

One area attracting attention is the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

SMRs are nuclear reactors designed to be smaller than many traditional large-scale reactors. Some designs use factory-manufactured components and incorporate advanced passive safety systems intended to reduce the risk and consequences of certain accidents.

For a country like Singapore, smaller advanced reactors may be worth studying because conventional large nuclear power plants may not align easily with the country's physical and infrastructure constraints.

However, SMRs should not be treated as a proven solution simply because they are smaller.

Many advanced reactor technologies remain under development, and their commercial maturity, economics, licensing requirements, supply chains, waste-management arrangements, and operational experience must be demonstrated. Singapore's Energy Market Authority has therefore commissioned work examining the safety performance and technical feasibility of advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs.

Nuclear Safety Is the Central Question

The biggest consideration for nuclear energy in Singapore is safety.

Singapore is a small and densely populated city-state, meaning the consequences of a serious nuclear incident could be particularly significant. The government has explicitly stated that safety is the overriding priority when assessing the feasibility of nuclear energy.

A nuclear energy programme would require much more than constructing a reactor. It would require a comprehensive system covering:

• Nuclear safety regulation

• Emergency preparedness and response

• Radioactive waste management

• Nuclear security

• Radiation protection

• Skilled technical personnel

• Environmental monitoring

• Nuclear safeguards

• Public communication and transparency

• Long-term decommissioning planning

  
  

Singapore is already strengthening its capabilities in these areas.

In 2027, Singapore is scheduled to undertake Phase 1 of the International Atomic Energy Agency's Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR). The review will assess Singapore's readiness across 19 areas, including nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, emergency planning, and institutional capabilities.

This is significant because Singapore has not committed to building a nuclear power plant. The current objective is to build the knowledge and institutions necessary to make an informed decision.

The Benefits of Nuclear Power for Singapore

If advanced nuclear technologies prove suitable, nuclear energy could offer several potential benefits.

First, lower-carbon electricity. Nuclear power could help reduce emissions associated with electricity generation and support Singapore's net-zero objective.

Second, reliable electricity supply. Nuclear reactors can provide firm generation, potentially complementing intermittent renewable sources such as solar.

Third, energy diversification. Adding another source of electricity could reduce Singapore's dependence on imported natural gas.

Fourth, energy security. A diversified electricity system can provide greater resilience against disruptions in individual fuel or energy supply chains.

Fifth, long-term decarbonisation potential. Nuclear power could become increasingly valuable if Singapore's electricity demand grows because of electrification, data centres, advanced manufacturing, and other energy-intensive activities.

The Challenges and Risks

Nuclear energy also presents substantial challenges.

The first is safety. Singapore would need extremely high standards for reactor design, regulation, emergency response, security, and operational culture.

The second is radioactive waste. Nuclear power produces radioactive materials that require secure handling, storage, and long-term management.

The third is cost. Advanced nuclear technologies must ultimately demonstrate that they can produce electricity at a competitive cost, including the full costs of construction, regulation, financing, waste management, and decommissioning.

The fourth is technology maturity. Some advanced reactor concepts remain at the development or demonstration stage rather than being commercially proven at scale.

Finally, there is the issue of public confidence. Any future nuclear programme would require transparent communication, independent oversight, scientific evidence, and meaningful engagement with the public.

Is Nuclear Energy the Right Solution for Singapore?

The answer remains undecided.

Singapore is currently studying the viability of nuclear energy rather than committing to deployment. The government is following the IAEA's Milestones Approach and progressively building domestic expertise so that any future decision can be based on evidence rather than assumptions.

This cautious approach is appropriate.

Nuclear energy should not be presented as a substitute for solar power, regional renewable electricity imports, energy efficiency, energy storage, or other decarbonisation measures. Instead, it should be evaluated as one potential component of Singapore's wider low-carbon electricity strategy.

The most important test will be whether advanced nuclear technology can satisfy Singapore's requirements for safety, reliability, affordability, environmental sustainability, and energy security.

The Future of Nuclear Energy and Climate Change in Singapore

Climate change is creating pressure for countries around the world to reduce emissions while maintaining reliable and affordable electricity. Singapore's situation is particularly distinctive because its land area, population density, energy imports, and limited renewable resources constrain the available choices.

Nuclear energy could potentially help address some of these constraints by providing reliable, low-carbon electricity. Advanced nuclear technologies, particularly SMRs, may offer new possibilities compared with conventional nuclear power plants.

But potential is not the same as readiness.

Singapore's decision will ultimately depend on whether the technology can meet rigorous safety requirements, whether the economics are competitive, whether radioactive waste can be responsibly managed, and whether the country can establish the necessary regulatory and emergency-response capabilities. For now, Singapore is taking a measured approach: study first, build expertise, assess the risks, and decide based on evidence.

If advanced nuclear energy eventually proves safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally sustainable for Singapore, it could become an important part of the country's long-term response to climate change. If it does not, Singapore will need to continue expanding other low-carbon solutions. Either way, nuclear energy is likely to remain an important part of Singapore's energy conversation as the country works toward a secure, resilient, and net-zero electricity system by 2050.

While Singapore is a nuclear-free zone, understanding potential radiation risks is crucial. Our detailed guide explores these risks, outlines Singapore's safety frameworks, and highlights singaporenuclear.com as a key resource for PPE and radiation hardware for enhanced preparedness.