Singapore to undertake IAEA review to assess ability to make informed decision on nuclear energy deployment

29 June 2026

On 19 May 2026, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Energy Market Authority (“EMA”), and National Environment Agency jointly issued a press release announcing that from 2027, Singapore will undertake the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (“INIR”) Phase 1 Mission, an assessment to determine Singapore’s ability to make an informed decision on the potential deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies in Singapore in the future. 

The INIR is an independent and voluntary assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (“IAEA”) for countries considering to embark on or expand their nuclear power programme. It ensures that the national infrastructure required for the safe, secure, and sustainable use of nuclear power is developed and implemented in a responsible and orderly manner. 

As part of efforts to assess the suitability of advanced nuclear energy technologies for power generation, Singapore has been progressively building capabilities in nuclear science, safety, and technology in line with international best practices. The INIR Phase 1 Mission will support the Government in validating Singapore’s progress and ensuring that capability development is advancing in the right direction, based on an internationally recognised assessment framework known as the IAEA Milestones Approach. 

The IAEA Milestones Approach reflects international best practices on nuclear energy deployment and involves a comprehensive assessment in 19 areas, such as capabilities to manage nuclear safety, radioactive waste, and emergency planning. The IAEA Milestones Approach provides a structured and internationally recognised framework to guide countries in understanding the commitments and obligations associated with developing a nuclear power programme. It defines key milestones a country must attain before constructing its first nuclear power plant, to ensure that necessary legal, regulatory, safety, security and technical foundations are in place. 

The assessment via the INIR Phase 1 Mission will be a key milestone of Singapore’s nuclear capability building journey. It will enable the IAEA to better understand Singapore’s current stage of development and provide more tailored support for capability building efforts in the future. 

The press release explains that Singapore has not made a decision on the adoption or deployment of nuclear energy. The Government will continue to monitor global developments and work with international partners to build capabilities in nuclear safety and regulation, as part of efforts to study all potential pathways for decarbonisation. Any decision to deploy nuclear energy will be carefully considered against its safety, reliability, affordability, and environmental sustainability in Singapore’s context. 

Reference materials 

The press release is available on the EMA website www.ema.gov.sg.