Singapore Builds Nuclear Energy Team to Power Clean Future

Singapore is getting serious about nuclear energy, and it's betting on its own people to make it happen safely.

The country just launched a Nuclear Energy Office at the Energy Market Authority, led by director Darryl Chan. His team of 26 specialists is focused on one critical mission: building local expertise so Singapore doesn't have to rely on other countries forever to understand this promising clean energy source.

"We have to build domestic capabilities to do these important analyses ourselves," Chan explained in his first interview since taking the role. His team is training experts in nuclear technology, safety assessments, policy, and economic analysis.

Singapore hasn't decided yet whether to use nuclear power, but it's doing the homework now. The country is studying small modular reactors, which are newer, safer designs that need much smaller safety zones than traditional nuclear plants. That matters hugely for a land-scarce nation.

The office is partnering with nuclear leaders worldwide to learn what works. Teams have visited the United States, France, Switzerland, and South Korea to study their programs. Singapore has signed agreements with countries and research organizations like Idaho National Laboratory and Battelle Memorial Institute.

"Different countries have different experiences," Chan said. "We want to learn from everybody." The goal is to pick the best practices from each country and adapt them to Singapore's unique needs.

Safety sits at the heart of everything. Before any decision gets made, Singapore needs its own experts who can independently verify that reactor technologies are truly safe for the island nation. Chan's team is learning to evaluate safety systems across different reactor types so the country can be "fully assured" about any technology it might choose.

Why This Inspires

Singapore's approach shows how forward thinking countries can prepare for tomorrow's challenges today. By investing in local talent now, the nation is building the knowledge base it needs to make informed, safe decisions about its energy future.

The Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute at the National University of Singapore launched in July 2025 to grow this expertise. Chan's team, formed in October 2025, expects to expand as the country deepens its understanding of nuclear energy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency outlines 19 infrastructure areas that countries must address before launching nuclear programs, including waste management and emergency planning. Singapore is methodically working through each one.

This isn't just about flipping a switch on nuclear power. It's about building a generation of experts who understand every angle, from technology to environmental impact to emergency response. Chan's office has even put out tenders for consultant panels to help conduct technical studies across all these areas.

The journey may be long, but Singapore is proving that careful preparation and homegrown expertise can pave the way for clean energy solutions that seemed impossible just years ago.