World Nuclear Association highlights nuclear’s growing role in Southeast Asia at SIEW 2026
World Nuclear Association joined policymakers, industry leaders and investors at the 19th Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), held from 26 to 30 October 2026 under the theme “Connecting Energy Systems, Powering Tomorrow”. Nuclear energy featured prominently throughout the week, from ministerial announcements on the opening day to dedicated forums, roundtables and an exhibition hall showcasing reactor technologies from across our membership.
Singapore Builds its Nuclear Capabilities
Opening the SIEW Summit, Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry, confirmed that Singapore will host an IAEA Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission next year to independently assess its capabilities in areas such as nuclear safety, radioactive waste management and emergency planning.
The Minister also announced three initiatives to build a pool of local nuclear expertise: a Nuclear Manpower Development Programme for the public sector, a companion programme for industry, and a joint master’s programme in nuclear engineering from the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, due to launch in 2027. The Energy Market Authority signed the first partnership agreements under the scheme with AtkinsRéalis, China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas and X-energy.
Singapore and the Philippines exchanged letters of intent to deepen cooperation on cross-border electricity interconnections and nuclear energy capability building, and Singapore hosted the inaugural IAEA@SIEW Forum on how ASEAN can safely and responsibly harness nuclear energy.
In his scene-setting presentation, IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol noted that 90 GW of nuclear capacity is now under construction worldwide – the highest level in four decades.
Bringing the Industry Perspective
Director General Dr Sama Bilbao y León joined the SIEW Summit panel on Technology for Resilient Energy Systems, moderated by Dr Ali Izadi Najafabadi of BNEF, alongside speakers from the French Energy Regulatory Commission, Baker Hughes, Marinus Link and Univers. She noted that while AI and data centres are driving new investment in nuclear, demand is rising for many other reasons, and that growth extends well beyond existing nuclear markets. With many ASEAN countries reliant on imported LNG and coal, she highlighted nuclear energy’s role in diversifying supply and strengthening energy sovereignty, and encouraged policymakers to put in place the regulatory frameworks, supply chains, skills and financing needed for deployment. She also appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss how China is setting the pace on nuclear power, and the Association’s views on the region’s nuclear prospects were covered by outlets including CNBC Indonesia, Nikkei Asia and Bernama.
Financing Nuclear Briefing Series Comes to Southeast Asia
On 27 October, the Association held the first Financing Nuclear Briefing Series event in the region, bringing together nuclear industry leaders with financiers, investors and policymakers to discuss what is needed to mobilize investment in new nuclear projects. The event provided briefings on the World Nuclear Investment Guide by Dr Lola Infante, Senior Programme Lead for Economics & Finance, as well as a presentation from Dr Jonathan Cobb, Senior Programme Lead for Energy & Climate, on the outlook for nuclear energy in ASEAN. We thank our members PFYN for their support in hosting the event.
Advancing Nuclear Readiness
On the final day, World Nuclear Association co-hosted SIEW Thinktank Roundtable D with Mott MacDonald, on Advancing Nuclear Readiness for Energy Security and Decarbonisation. Henry Preston served as MC. In his keynote, Dr Cobb highlighted Southeast Asia’s potential to develop nuclear capabilities amid growing electricity demand and exposure to volatile fossil fuel imports, before joining a panel with representatives from the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute, France’s ASNR, Urenco and MIGA. Discussions covered the regulatory, institutional and financing foundations needed for deployment.
Dr Cobb also moderated two panels at the Spotlight Korea Forum featuring our member Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), exploring Korea’s nuclear development experience and potential cooperation with Singapore.
Members Showcase Nuclear Technologies
Nuclear was highly visible in the exhibition hall, where members GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy, KHNP and X-energy featured their reactor designs, and Siemens Energy displayed its steam turbines.
Members were active across the wider programme. AtkinsRéalis drew on its CANDU experience to explore the policy, regulatory, workforce and financing foundations for new nuclear programmes; a BWRX-300 Southeast Asia symposium included a virtual reality demonstration of the design; and the Spotlight Sweden Forum examined how Sweden’s decades of experience, from reactor operation to waste management, could inform a realistic pathway for Singapore.
Looking Ahead
SIEW 2026 demonstrated that nuclear energy is now firmly on the agenda in Southeast Asia. Countries are moving from exploring nuclear options to building the institutions, skills and partnerships needed for informed decisions and, ultimately, successful deployment. World Nuclear Association will continue to work with governments, regulators, financiers and our members to help the region turn its nuclear ambitions into reality.