S'pore signs MOU with UAE nuclear energy company

To strengthen capabilities in nuclear science and technology, and assess whether nuclear energy will be feasible to meet Singapore's growing energy needs, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

According to the U.S.-U.A.E Business Council, the ENEC is a United Arabs Emirates (UAE)-based entity responsible for the deployment, ownership and operations of nuclear energy plants in the UAE.

It is also the investment arm of the government of Abu Dhabi.

The MoU was signed by Puah Kok Keong, Chief Executive of EMA, and Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, shared EMA in a press release on Oct. 29.

Through this, both parties will work together to identify activities of mutual interest, such as assessing emerging nuclear technologies and human resource development.

Technical exchanges, sharing of information through workshops, and staff attachments will also be facilitated through the MoU.

Puah said:

"The MoU is part of Singapore’s efforts to explore all options to decarbonise its power system to achieve our net zero emissions target by 2050. We look forward to working with ENEC to learn more about nuclear energy".

Government exploring the feasibility of nuclear energy

The MoU comes at a time where Singapore is trying to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and is exploring various renewable energy routes such as the adoption of nuclear energy sources.

Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong had previously shared at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2023 that the government had been monitoring nuclear energy as a low-carbon alternative technology.

A pre-feasibility study on nuclear energy done over 10 years prior had indicated that nuclear energy technologies were not suitable for deployment in Singapore, Gan said.

There has been some action in the world of nuclear though.

Earlier this July, Singapore signed the "123 Agreement", a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S.

Under the U.S Atomic Energy Act, a peaceful cooperation agreement is required before significant transfers of nuclear material or equipment from the U.S. can take place.

However, the signing does not indicate that Singapore has made a decision on the deployment of nuclear energy in the country just yet.

Singapore to build up technical expertise

Instead, Singapore will be building up its capabilities and expertise to understand how nuclear technologies work for now.

Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng also announced earlier in April that Singapore hopes to build a pool of about 100 nuclear energy experts in the medium to long run, reported CNA. 

Tan also noted that the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) has continuously awarded 30 scholarships for postgraduate studies in areas related to nuclear science and engineering over the last ten years, and there is currently a team of 40 researchers specialising in nuclear-related disciplines at SNRSI.

Other forms of renewable energy are currently sourced

Tan also shared that various projects exploring alternative energy sources, such as geothermal energy and ammonia, are underway.

More recently at the SIEW 2024, EMA announced the conditional approval of importing low-carbon energy from Australia to Singapore, produced through solar and wind plants, via subsea cables.

Additionally, Singapore's largest floating solar farm, amongst numerous initiatives, is also set to begin construction at Kranji Reservoir come 2025, and to commence operations in 2027 or 2028.

More stories on renewable energy

Top image from Canva