3-4-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore aims to cultivate a pool of approximately 100 nuclear energy experts in the medium to long term, according to Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Tan See Leng, speaking on Wednesday (Apr 3). However, the nation has yet to make a definitive decision regarding the deployment of nuclear energy, refraining from committing to a specific timeline.
Dr. Tan responded to queries from Member of Parliament Gerald Giam (WP-Aljunied), who sought details on the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative’s current scientific personnel and the number of scholarships granted annually to foster nuclear science expertise.
Additionally, Mr. Giam inquired about the government’s efforts to establish regulatory frameworks for potential nuclear energy programmes, encompassing both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
Dr. Tan outlined governmental support for training scientists and experts through local and overseas universities. Over the past decade, the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has provided 30 scholarships for postgraduate studies in nuclear science and engineering. The initiative has also nurtured around 40 researchers specialising in radiobiology, radiochemistry, and nuclear safety.
“We aim to build up a pool of about 100 experts in the medium to long run,” stated Dr. Tan.
Regarding nuclear fusion, Dr. Tan acknowledged widespread interest in the field but noted significant challenges. Despite ongoing developments, sustainable nuclear fusion technology remains at least a decade away from fruition. Researchers from Singapore have been dispatched to the United States to study evolving fusion technology.
Dr. Tan emphasised the government’s vigilance in monitoring advancements in nuclear energy, asserting that “nothing is off the table,” including both fission and fusion.
Responding to queries about the government’s stance on deploying nuclear energy in Singapore’s energy mix, Dr. Tan reiterated that no decision had been made. He stressed the need to await the commercial deployment of small modular reactors or newer thermal reactors to assess safety profiles accurately.
While Singapore refrains from stockpiling uranium, Dr. Tan underscored the necessity for detailed studies on nuclear energy’s safety, reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability within the local context.
“We are steadily building capabilities to better understand and assess global developments on advanced nuclear energy technologies,” concluded Dr. Tan.
