Key facts
- 31.4% of Singaporeans believe nuclear energy has the greatest potential as a clean power source.
- This represents the highest acceptance rate for nuclear energy in Southeast Asia.
- Singapore's approval rate for nuclear energy increased by 11.1% from 2024.
- Solar energy remains the most popular energy choice in Singapore.
- ASEAN countries are committed to increasing renewable energy capacity to 35% by 2025.
- Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are studying the construction of nuclear energy facilities.
Nearly a third of Singaporeans, or 31.4%, view nuclear energy as a promising clean power source, the highest acceptance rate in Southeast Asia, according to a new study. This figure represents an 11.1% increase in approval compared to 2024, although solar energy continues to be the most favored option.
Rapid economic development across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has driven up energy demand, prompting a commitment to increase the share of environmentally friendly energy in national energy mixes. ASEAN aims to achieve 35% renewable energy in its installed power capacity by 2025. The region is also advancing energy policies and building human resource capabilities in nuclear science and technology for power generation. The inclusion of a civil nuclear energy program in the APAEC Phase II strategy (2021-2025) signifies concrete steps toward nuclear energy realization.
Several ASEAN nations, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, are in the study and preparation phases for constructing nuclear energy facilities. Public acceptance is considered crucial for the success of these programs. Studies in Indonesia, for example, have shown high national support for nuclear power, driven by the need for stable electricity supply and potentially cheaper energy prices. However, concerns such as the "not in my backyard" phenomenon and geographical risks like those on the "Ring of Fire" persist.