Energy Security, Environment & Sustainability
Is Singapore Adopting Nuclear Energy?
21 May 2026
Singapore has not decided to adopt nuclear energy; it is currently studying the option through the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR).
Why Is Singapore Exploring Nuclear Energy?
Energy security is an existential matter for Singapore. It is something we cannot take for granted. Today, 95% of our electricity is produced using natural gas — an imported energy source. As a small nation, we do not have many options.
With no natural energy sources and too little land, our energy options are limited. Our main domestic renewable energy source — solar — can contribute only up to around 10% of our electricity needs by 2050, even though we are one of the most solar-dense cities in the world.
That constraint is becoming more apparent amid a volatile global landscape, where energy disruptions and price fluctuations have become more frequent. The need to strengthen Singapore’s energy security has never been more critical.
To meet growing energy needs while achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Singapore needs to be open to exploring clean energy sources for power generation. This includes nuclear energy.
What Is Singapore Doing Now to Build Nuclear Capabilities?
Singapore has been building capabilities across 19 key areas identified by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as necessary for a country to establish a nuclear power programme. These areas include nuclear safety, stakeholder involvement, radioactive waste management and radiation protection, among others.
To assess our readiness and ensure these capability building efforts are advancing in the right direction, we are embarking on the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 1 Mission.
What Is the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR)?
Comprising three phases, it is a holistic, independent and voluntary external peer review conducted by the IAEA to assess a country’s ability to consider nuclear energy technologies.
What Does the INIR Phase 1 Mission Entail?
It seeks to assess a country’s ability to make an informed decision on the deployment of nuclear energy. It is not a commitment or decision to deploy nuclear energy. Embarking on the Phase 1 Mission does not necessarily mean we will proceed to subsequent phases.
The Phase 1 Mission evaluates Singapore's nuclear capabilities across the 19 key areas. The Mission will also identify gaps, where Singapore would need to develop further capabilities before nuclear energy deployment can be responsibly considered.
What Comes Next for Nuclear Energy in Singapore?
Once the INIR Phase 1 Mission concludes, Singapore will have a clearer sense of where it stands and what it would take to go further.
For now, the focus remains on building the capabilities and knowledge needed to make that decision carefully, responsibly, and on well-informed foundations.