Singapore-US nuclear pact spotlights region’s push for alternative energy source
- Agreement comes amid a broader revival in nuclear power in natural gas and coal-reliant Asia
“Nuclear energy is a solution for deep decarbonisation of [Singapore’s] economy, as well as a viable solution for energy security given that more than 95 per cent of its current resources to generate electricity are imported,” said Alvin Chew, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
On Wednesday, Singapore and the US signed the deal, known as a 123 Agreement, to deepen cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy as the city state weighs clean energy alternatives as part of its efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“This agreement builds on the long-standing civil nuclear collaboration between the United States and Singapore and outlines a comprehensive framework to deepen peaceful nuclear cooperation based on a mutual commitment to nuclear non-proliferation,” the two countries said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The agreement is expected to come into full force by the end of the year, after it is reviewed by the US Congress.