SIEW Thinktank Roundtable – ESI: Nuclear Energy a Potential Tool for Climate Action, Energy Security
There is global consensus among the policymaking community that nuclear energy is potentially a vital tool for countries to achieve global climate goals and energy security. The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that nuclear energy is the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity. Nuclear power plants also generate no greenhouse gas emissions while in operation.
The role of nuclear energy, especially in the decarbonisation of ASEAN member countries, and the implications for regional nuclear cooperation, were discussed at the SIEW Thinktank Roundtable on 28 October. The session was organised by the Energy Studies Institute (ESI) in collaboration with the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI). It was hosted by Dr Nur Azha Putra, Research Fellow at ESI.
When compared with wind and solar energy, the World Nuclear Association notes that nuclear energy generates approximately the same amount of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions per unit as the former, and about a third of the latter. Dr Putra also said that when compared with fossil fuels, nuclear energy is a promising source of low-carbon alternative that could decarbonise the economy at a lower cost.
One viable option, as a decarbonisation strategy, is to expand the role of nuclear energy in power generation. This can be done by using advanced nuclear technologies and small modular reactors (SMRs) to process heat for industrial applications. Dr Putra believes the prospects appear bright. There is political interest and financial support for SMR developers by governments in traditional nuclear energy states such as the US, the UK and Canada.
That said, he caveated that there are significant regulatory challenges since SMR technology is still nascent in the global nuclear industry.
Nuclear energy can decarbonise national economies
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Nuclear Harmonisation and Standardisation Initiative, the immediate challenge for the global nuclear regulatory community is to establish a common position on technical and policy issues even though there is no large-scale deployment of SMRs yet.
So far, two SMR units have been deployed aboard Russian and Chinese floating nuclear power plants. Another unit is in the advanced stage of construction in Argentina. It was on this note that the Roundtable aimed to assess the viability of nuclear energy as a decarbonisation strategy in ASEAN. Speakers also engaged in dialogue on nuclear energy's safety issues and challenges for regulators, the suitability of advanced nuclear technologies and SMRs in the region, as well as implications for the regional nuclear power cooperation.
King Lee, Director, Harmony Programme, World Nuclear Association. on "Nuclear Power for a Carbon-Neutral Energy System".
In his presentation, King Lee, Director, Harmony Programme, World Nuclear Association, said he remains optimistic about nuclear energy because it provides reliable, clean, and affordable energy for the long run. He added that nuclear energy also offers great opportunity for countries to decarbonise their economies.
Mr Lee shared that there are numerous new nuclear projects, large and small, which have recently been completed or are currently under construction in several countries. Projects that have just been concluded include the Barakah 1 and 2 nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, the Rooppur 1 and 2 nuclear power plants are presently under construction in Bangladesh.
Future energy demand in ASEAN will continue to rise
Beni Suryadi, Manager, Power Fossil Fuels, Alternative Energy and Storage, ASEAN Centre for Energy, sharing insights on "Nuclear Energy in ASEAN's Decarbonisation and Its Implication on Regional Cooperation".
Ben Suryadi, Manager, Power Fossil Fuels, Alternative Energy and Storage, ASEAN Centre for Energy, shared highlights from the ASEAN Energy in 2022: Outlook report. This suggested that energy demand in the region is likely to increase significantly by 2050 if the member states do not develop new policies that would accelerate the clean energy transition in the next few years.
Based on the baseline scenario and historical trends, the projected total final energy consumption in the region could increase by 23% in 2025 from 2020 levels, and eventually triple by 2050. Energy demand would likely be driven by rapid economic and population growth among the ASEAN member states. In terms of sectoral energy demands, transportation and industry would be the largest energy-consuming sectors. Both would continue to rely on oil and coal, respectively, as the primary fuel source.
Nuclear energy cooperation in ASEAN not new
Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow & Coordinator of ASEAN Studies Centre, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Spoke on "ASEAN Nuclear Cooperation: Lessons from Other Sectoral Cooperation within the Region".
Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow & Coordinator, ASEAN Studies Centre, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that several ASEAN member states have been considering nuclear energy as a viable energy source for several years.
She added that countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and, up to a few years ago, Malaysia, have been actively preparing to include nuclear energy in their respective national energy mix. She observed that some states are more advanced in their preparations than others.
However, one key issue for these governments is that not all states enjoy a high level of public acceptance. For instance, a recent study she conducted showed that the public in the Philippines and Singapore appear to be more receptive to the potential role of nuclear energy. This is in contrast to other ASEAN member states,
With regard to regional nuclear energy cooperation, Ms Seah highlighted that the genesis of the current regional cooperation framework on civilian nuclear energy can be traced back to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. This longstanding cooperation framework covers key areas such as nuclear safety and security.
SEANWFZ came into force in 1997 and expressly recognises the rights of ASEAN member states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Additionally, SEANFWZ requires ASEAN member states to adhere to the international regime and norms on nuclear safety and security.
SMRs could potentially be deployed in the region
Associate Professor Chung Keng Yeow, Director, Singapore Nuclear Safety Research Initiative, National University of Singapore.
In his presentation, Associate Professor Chung, Director, Singapore Nuclear Safety Research Initiative, highlighted ASEAN as one of the few regions that does not have an operational nuclear power plant. He held the view that from a safety perspective, SMRs can potentially be deployed in the region for several reasons.
For instance, SMRs offer a much higher level of safety, he said. SMRs generate less heat that needs to be removed in situations where there is an accident. SMRs do not depend on external power or require operator intervention during an accident. Additionally, SMRs are potentially cheaper to build and require shorter construction time. This could take up to only 60 months to construct compared with reactors in conventional nuclear power plants.
Due to the immense potential of SMRs, Associate Professor Chung raised the potential for member states to consider adopting a hybrid energy system. This includes a combination of nuclear and renewable energy to provide a constant power supply to the electricity grid.
Nuclear energy could strengthen energy security in the Philippines
Dr Carlo Arcilla, Director, Philippines Nuclear Research Institute, sharing on "Nuclear Power Development in the Philippines".
The Roundtable concluded with Dr Carlo Arcilla, Director, Philippines Nuclear Research Institute, who stressed the importance of including nuclear energy in the national energy mix for a country such as the Philippines.
The country’s energy mix currently comprises coal, natural gas, geothermal, hydro, and oil-based products. Its domestic natural gas supply is depleting and will have to be eventually replaced with liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports along with nuclear energy.
In the meantime, the national electricity mix will continue to rely mostly on fossil fuels, and the country’s population will have to endure increasing electricity prices. The rising electricity prices and its impact on the average Filipino family probably account for the high public support for nuclear energy, which stood at 79% in 2019.
Dr Arcilla highlighted that the median Filipino family pays more than 10% of its monthly income for electricity. To secure the country’s long-term energy security and mitigate the high electricity prices for the population, the Philippines President signed an executive order in February 2020. This adopts a national position to include nuclear energy in the country’s future energy mix. The Government is currently embarking on its nuclear power infrastructure development.
Another significant milestone is that of August 2022, when the Philippines House of Representatives created a 25-member Special Committee on Nuclear Energy. Its primary task is to focus on the development of a nuclear energy infrastructure.
Conclusion
Nuclear energy remains a reasonable and viable option for ASEAN member states. This is particularly in the context of energy security and decarbonisation, and rising energy demand in the region. However, the option for nuclear energy should not discount the viability of renewable energy. Rather, nuclear energy could be deployed as part of a hybrid power system along with other renewable energy sources as the region gradually reduces its reliance on fossil fuels.
At the same time, ASEAN member states should continue to engage the public and allay their concerns about nuclear safety. In addition, each county should strengthen its national nuclear governance framework as well as continue to collaborate within the SEANWFZ treaty.