South East Asia pushes through with nuclear power despite Fukushima tragedy

Except in Japan, the construction of nuclear power plants hasn’t been stopped.

During the Singapore Electricity Roundtable, Dr. Selena Ng, AREVA’s Regional Director in South-East Asia and Oceania, said that none of the South East Asian countries have definitely ruled out nuclear power.

According to Ng, among all South East Asian countries, Vietnam is the one country that has affirmed its plans of moving ahead with its new power program. Indonesia, on the other hand, continues to work on feasibilities studies.

It also seems like Singapore's interest in nuclear power hasn't waned. 

Ng says that Singapore has reaffirmed that it will continue its feasibility studies. She adds that this is an opportunity for the country to become a major player in the nuclear power industry in the future.

Wong Meng Meng, Chairman of the Energy Market Company, also mentioned of Singapore’s continiued interest in the nuclear power industry. He cited Prime Minister Lee saying that nuclear energy is a diversification option that Singapore could not afford to dismiss.

“By and large, before the March 11 tsunami in Japan, nuclear energy was seen as a carbon-free solution to the world’s energy needs, which according to the International Energy Agency, is estimated to grow 36% by 2035,” he said.