NEA to commission nuclear safety studies, including standards for reactor design, operations
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The first study will look at safety standards adopted by international organisations and national regulators on nuclear energy.
PHOTO: ST FILE
SINGAPORE – The standards used by international organisations for how to design and operate a nuclear reactor safely will be part of several studies that Singapore’s nuclear safety regulator will be commissioning, to help the country better prepare for a region with nuclear power plants.
The first study – one of three that the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be calling tenders for – will look at the safety standards adopted by international organisations and national regulators on nuclear energy.
These include how to design and operate a reactor safely, what safety systems are needed and how to prevent accidents, said NEA in a statement on March 26.
Singapore has not made a decision on whether to tap nuclear energy, but is studying various aspects of this energy source to help it assess the viability of doing so.
While the Republic has categorically ruled out the possibility of conventional nuclear plants in the country, it is monitoring developments in advanced nuclear technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs).
The second study will focus on international environmental standards and regulatory frameworks for nuclear facilities.
The third study will look into environmental considerations for the potential deployment of nuclear energy in Singapore and the region, and will focus on how to protect public health and the environment.
Combined with other efforts to build local talent in the nuclear field, the studies will help to ensure that Singapore is well-equipped with the knowledge and technical expertise to independently assess the potential for deploying nuclear energy here safely.
This will also allow the city-state to contribute to strengthening regional discussion on nuclear energy and better prepare for a region with nuclear power plants, NEA added.
NEA said the studies will complement the ongoing study commissioned by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) to evaluate the safety performance and technical feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies.
Both NEA and EMA had, in 2025, created dedicated nuclear teams, following Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s Budget 2025 speech, in which he said the Singapore Government would be reorganising itself to place “greater emphasis” on capability building in nuclear energy, The Straits Times reported.
EMA is assessing the feasibility of deploying advanced nuclear energy technologies for power generation in Singapore. In September 2025, the authority appointed consultancy firm Mott MacDonald to study the safety and feasibility of advanced tech such as SMRs.
Meanwhile, as the radiation and nuclear safety regulator, NEA has established a nuclear safety team to deepen expertise in nuclear safety, security and safeguards.
Singapore is mulling over the use of nuclear energy to safeguard energy security and affordability in a climate-friendly way.
With limited access to renewable energy options here, low-carbon alternatives like nuclear energy could not only help the country reach its net-zero goals but also help to bolster energy security.
The Republic is also laying the groundwork to explore nuclear energy as a viable energy option by inking international partnerships and commissioning studies.
Besides developing Singapore’s nuclear safety capabilities through close partnerships with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), NEA is working with established regulatory bodies in Finland, France and the US. NEA is also engaging in nuclear safety cooperation discussions with regional countries.
The IAEA is the UN’s atomic watchdog.
In a separate statement on March 26, NEA said its National Radiochemistry Laboratory has been designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre from 2026 to 2030, to lead the development of regional radiological monitoring and emergency response capabilities.
It is the first and only IAEA Collaborating Centre on Radiochemistry in South-east Asia. Other laboratories that have been designated a collaborating centre include Switzerland’s Spiez Laboratory and the Republic of Korea’s Institute of Nuclear Safety.
As an IAEA partner centre, the NEA laboratory will share knowledge about radiochemistry analysis, which refers to the science of measuring radioactive materials.
This will be done by combining radiochemistry analysis with environmental monitoring to support research and assess radiation exposure, said NEA.
The agency added that the collaborating centre will also work closely with the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute at the National University of Singapore, which was launched in July 2025.
“With such capabilities, Singapore will also help other South-east Asian countries improve their ability to detect and respond to nuclear emergencies,” said NEA.
This includes running workshops and helping to establish safety standards catered to the region’s needs.
NEA chief executive Wong Kang Jet said the agency is honoured by the IAEA’s confidence in the National Radiochemistry Laboratory’s capabilities to serve as a regional hub for radiochemistry expertise.
“As an IAEA Collaborating Centre, Singapore will support the region in strengthening nuclear safety frameworks, enhancing analytical capabilities, and reinforcing regional emergency preparedness,” he said.
“With growing regional interest in nuclear energy to meet future energy needs, it is crucial that we work together to uphold the highest safety standards.”
