Singapore Studies Small Modular Reactors to Cut Gas Reliance and Reach Net Zero

A nuclear option for a country powered mostly by gas

Singapore is examining whether small modular reactors could help replace some of the imported natural gas that generates more than 90 percent of its electricity. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has appointed consultancy Mott MacDonald to assess advanced nuclear technologies, while the country expands its research workforce and international cooperation on nuclear safety.

As of September 9, 2025, Singapore has made no decision to build a nuclear power plant and has set no timetable for that decision. Its immediate task is to establish whether newer reactor designs can meet the safety, reliability, affordability and environmental standards required in a densely populated city state.

Singapore aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Natural gas has provided reliable electricity for years, but dependence on an imported fuel exposes the country to global price swings and supply risks. Nuclear energy could provide a steady source of electricity with low carbon emissions, reducing the amount of gas needed to keep the lights on.

EMA analysis suggests nuclear could supply about 10 percent of Singapore's electricity by 2050 if a safe and cost effective technology is identified. That would make it one part of a broader mix, alongside solar power, electricity imports and potentially low carbon hydrogen.

Singapore's geography makes the search unusually constrained. The United Nations has long regarded it as alternative energy disadvantaged: it has limited wind, no suitable rivers for hydropower and little land for large renewable energy installations. Those limits explain why officials are examining technologies that might once have seemed impractical for the island.

Solar and imports remain central to the plan

Solar power remains Singapore's main domestic renewable energy source, with a target of 2 GWp by 2030. GWp measures the maximum rated output of solar panels under specified conditions. Rooftop space, cloud cover and the grid's ability to accommodate changing output restrict how much electricity solar can supply.

Academic modeling suggests solar could meet roughly 2 to 6 percent of electricity demand by 2030 and potentially 3.5 to 8 percent by 2040. The higher estimates depend on continued improvements in technology, use of space and policy support.

Electricity imports with low carbon emissions are planned to provide around 30 percent of supply by 2035. Hydrogen is also being studied for a role later in the transition, although its costs and deployment timelines remain uncertain.

Singapore's nuclear assessment therefore sits within an existing effort to diversify electricity supply. Solar makes use of domestic space, imports draw on generation beyond Singapore's borders, and a suitable nuclear plant could provide electricity continuously without depending on weather conditions.

What the reactor assessment will examine

EMA commissioned its detailed assessment after a tender launched in late 2024. Mott MacDonald is examining the safety performance, technical feasibility and commercial readiness of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors, in Singapore's circumstances.

The work must establish which designs are closest to deployment, what conditions their sites would require and how they could connect to Singapore's grid and industrial base. The nuclear study appointment sets out the assessment's scope.

Commercial readiness means more than having a promising reactor design. Singapore needs to understand whether the technology can be licensed, constructed, fueled, operated and maintained over decades. Its assessment is examining technology maturity, actual operating performance and the supply chains needed to support those tasks.

Safety, reliability, affordability and environmental sustainability are the government's tests. Officials describe the present work as preparation: building enough knowledge to assess modern designs and keeping a possible energy option open as the technology develops.

How small modular reactors produce electricity

Small modular reactors produce up to about 300 megawatts of electricity per unit. Their designs aim to allow components or modules to be manufactured in factories, shipped to a location and assembled there. A smaller land footprint could be useful in Singapore, where space is scarce.

Several designs include passive cooling systems, which can remove heat without external electricity or action by an operator. Simpler arrangements can also reduce the number of pumps and valves requiring maintenance. Singapore's assessment must examine how these safety features perform in the designs being considered.

Some small modular reactors use pressurized water, an approach similar to that used in most operating reactors worldwide. Others use high temperature gas or molten salt concepts. These designs promise higher efficiency or the ability to produce industrial heat alongside electricity.

Many designs remain in licensing or demonstration stages. Their readiness varies, so Singapore is examining evidence of performance and the practical arrangements needed to support a plant throughout its life.

A handful of modules could provide a constant block of electricity for a grid the size of Singapore's. Nuclear plants can adjust output to a degree, and smaller units could be added in stages as demand grows. Such a contribution would reduce gas use for baseload demand, the continuing electricity requirement that exists throughout the day and night, while complementing solar power and batteries.

International agreements build technical capacity

Singapore and the United States signed a civil nuclear cooperation pact in August 2024. Known as a 123 Agreement, it will remain in force for 30 years and supports cooperation on safety, safeguards and advanced nuclear energy technologies, including small modular reactors.

The agreement builds on years of cooperation between the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA). Their work has included joint safety workshops and technical exchanges.

Singapore is also working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which it joined in 1967. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has pointed to Singapore's strong research base, mature institutions and limited space for large renewable energy projects as reasons it is a strong candidate to consider nuclear energy.

Grossi also highlighted Singapore's long standing contribution to training in nuclear science. The National University of Singapore (NUS) described his assessment and the country's cooperation with the agency in its account of Grossi's nuclear remarks.

Waste management planning needs to begin at the start of any nuclear program, Grossi said. He also suggested Singapore could explore a joint plant with a neighboring country, similar to arrangements in parts of Europe.

Several dates mark the development of Singapore's preparations:

• 1967: Singapore joined the IAEA.
• Since 2014: More than S$150 million has been invested in nuclear research and talent development.
• August 2024: Singapore and the United States signed their civil nuclear cooperation agreement, lasting 30 years.
• Late 2024: EMA launched the tender for its advanced nuclear assessment, and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced plans for a Future Grid Capabilities Roadmap.
• 2030: Singapore aims to double its nuclear expert pool to about 100 and reach its solar target of 2 GWp.
• 2035: Imports of electricity with low carbon emissions are planned to reach around 30 percent of supply.
• 2050: Singapore's net zero target year, when nuclear could supply about 10 percent of electricity if a suitable design is identified.

Research puts safety and waste at the center

The Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute was launched at NUS with a new S$66 million grant. Its mandate includes doubling its expert pool to about 100 by 2030, building the knowledge needed to assess nuclear technologies and their risks.

Researchers are studying accident simulations for advanced reactors, nuclear waste management, underground reactor concepts, the movement of radioactive particles and radiation's effects on health. Details of the funding, facilities and research priorities were set out in coverage of the institute's research expansion.

Local conditions matter to those studies. Modeling how radioactive particles could spread in Singapore's weather helps researchers examine possible effects on people and ecosystems. Work on exposure to low doses of radiation adds another part of that assessment.

NEA continuously monitors radiation levels and is upgrading coastal systems that can detect radioactivity transported by sea currents. These measures are intended to improve awareness of conditions and speed up detection of abnormal readings in the region.

The IAEA supports countries considering nuclear power through a phased milestones process. It covers legal frameworks, independent regulation, emergency preparedness and operating culture. Countries entering nuclear power also need sufficient grid capacity and experts able to evaluate designs, oversee licensing and manage operations.

Singapore's research investment addresses part of that preparation. Waste planning would have to cover safe handling, interim storage and eventual disposal. Nuclear plants produce small volumes of highly radioactive waste compared with other industrial processes, but managing that waste requires clear policy choices, technical facilities and international best practices. Singapore's researchers are participating in global waste programs and developing expertise in monitoring and modeling.

Could a floating reactor fit Singapore's coast?

Floating small modular reactors are one option attracting attention. A plant could be built in a shipyard, towed to its operating location and connected to the electricity grid through subsea cables. Singapore's port and marine engineering experience could offer practical advantages for such an approach.

Moving a fully assembled unit to a coastal site could reduce the amount of construction needed on land and potentially allow faster deployment. Water cooling is efficient in tropical conditions, and the surrounding sea could serve as a large heat sink, carrying away heat from the plant.

A floating installation would still require substantial marine infrastructure. Breakwaters, anchoring systems and robust grid connections would be needed. Maintenance, refueling and eventual decommissioning could take place in a shipyard setting, potentially shortening outages compared with land sites.

Russia's Akademik Lomonosov and early small reactor projects in China and elsewhere provide experience relevant to the debate. The floating reactor assessment examines the trade offs between offshore and land installations.

Marine exposure also increases corrosion risks and the need for inspections. Seawater intakes would require strong filtration to protect equipment and the environment. Storm protection, cybersecurity and measures against unauthorized access would need layers of protection overseen by maritime and nuclear authorities.

First projects using a new design face uncertain costs, whether they are built on land or at sea. Singapore's affordability studies therefore need to consider the entire installation, including its supporting infrastructure, maintenance and eventual retirement.

A cleaner grid needs more than new generators

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced at Singapore International Energy Week in late 2024 that Singapore would publish a Future Grid Capabilities Roadmap. The plan addresses changes in both electricity supply and demand as more clean energy enters the system.

EMA previewed three priorities: using distributed energy resources to support grid stability, improving planning and operations through digital tools, and maintaining stable power quality as variable renewable generation and electricity imports grow. The grid roadmap announcement also described Singapore's wider work on nuclear capabilities.

Distributed energy resources include rooftop solar panels, batteries and electric vehicle chargers. Coordinating them can help balance electricity supply and demand and move some consumption away from peak hours.

A grid digital twin is a digital representation of the electricity network. It can help planners evaluate investments, manage assets and examine how the system might respond to changes. Maintaining voltage and frequency, two measures of electricity's operating conditions, is another priority as the mix of power sources changes.

Solar output rises during daylight and falls when clouds move in, while homes and workplaces contribute to evening demand peaks. A small nuclear unit could supply steady electricity alongside those changing sources. Imports and future hydrogen supplies could provide further flexibility as their development progresses.

Affordability remains central to the choice between technologies. First projects using small modular reactor designs in several countries have experienced delays and cost increases. Singapore is looking for mature technologies with performance records that can be checked.

A nuclear project would need a clear financing plan and supplies of fuel and components that meet safety, security and nonproliferation rules. Those rules are intended to keep nuclear materials and technologies within peaceful uses. Carbon pricing and international green financing could help narrow cost gaps if a technology meets Singapore's requirements. Policymakers will weigh each option's costs against its carbon benefits.

Regional projects offer relevant experience

Indonesia has approved a site evaluation plan for a first project by Thorcon, a developer based in Singapore. Thorcon is working on a molten salt reactor concept that could be built in a shipyard and moved to its site by barge.

The Indonesian government aims to add nuclear power by 2040 as it seeks alternatives to coal. The Thorcon site evaluation approval marks a step in the country's licensing process.

Thorcon's progress could help develop regional supply chains and regulatory experience. Projects in Indonesia and elsewhere may also provide operating information relevant to the island and coastal settings Singapore is considering.

Singapore and India have agreed to explore cooperation on small modular reactor technologies within a broader economic roadmap covering trade and defense. Partnerships across the Indo Pacific could provide access to different technical expertise, safety benchmarks and reactor vendors.

The World Nuclear Association says about 30 countries are at various stages of considering or starting nuclear programs. New entrants typically need to develop grid capacity and regulatory infrastructure before hosting a plant. Singapore's investments in research, personnel and international cooperation are part of that preparatory work.

Public trust and site selection will shape any decision

Singapore's nuclear assessment also involves how people understand safety and emergency preparations. A study involving Singapore participants found that messages centered on care increased trust in government more effectively than messages focused solely on competence or control. Traditional media performed better than social platforms in building trust.

Those findings suggest the way authorities communicate about preparedness can affect how residents weigh nuclear risks and benefits. Clear explanations of safety measures, emergency arrangements and the responsibilities of public agencies would form part of building confidence.

EMA has described its current position as a practical effort to remain informed while technologies develop. The authority stated:

While Singapore has not made a decision on nuclear energy, it is important to keep our options open and stay informed about promising solutions.

Land installations would require careful attention to population density, exclusion zones and dependable cooling. Researchers are also evaluating underground configurations that could improve security and reduce land use.

Floating plants would need sufficiently deep water, robust moorings and sites that minimize effects on marine ecosystems and shipping lanes. Each option would require detailed environmental assessments and safety reviews before approval.

A government decision that a technology is safe and cost effective would still be followed by detailed licensing, environmental assessment, public consultation and contracting. These processes take time by design, allowing the technical, environmental and financial requirements to be examined.

The next indicators of progress are the outcome of EMA's feasibility study, further details of the Future Grid Capabilities Roadmap, growth in the institute's expert pool and continued cooperation with the IAEA and partner countries. Regional projects will add practical evidence about advanced reactors, while Singapore's approach remains focused on long term planning, risk management and building capacity before a major commitment.

What to Know

• More than 90 percent of Singapore's electricity comes from natural gas, exposing it to imported fuel prices and supply risks.
• EMA appointed Mott MacDonald to assess advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors.
• Singapore has made no decision to build a nuclear plant and has set no decision timetable.
• Nuclear could supply about 10 percent of electricity by 2050 if a safe and cost effective design is identified.
• The Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute received a new S$66 million grant and aims to double its expert pool to about 100 by 2030.
• The civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed with the United States in August 2024 lasts 30 years.
• Solar, electricity imports and potentially low carbon hydrogen remain complementary parts of Singapore's energy transition.
• Land, underground and floating reactor options require safety, environmental, waste management and affordability assessments.
• Indonesia's Thorcon project and planned cooperation with India could provide further regional experience and technical partnerships.