Myths, facts and your questions

It’s a fair question. Accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima are part of why people worry. A peer-reviewed review in The Lancet found that health burdens per unit of electricity are greatest for coal and oil, smaller for gas, and lower still for nuclear, while noting public concern about waste and accidents.^[6] Many SMR designs use passive safety systems that can shut down and cool the reactor without operators or external power.^[5] Singapore’s Government says safety would be the foremost consideration in any decision.^[1][2]

Nuclear power produces a small volume of highly radioactive waste. Worldwide, high-level waste is about 3% of the volume of radioactive waste but holds about 95% of its radioactivity, and it is managed and isolated under strict rules.^[7] How Singapore would handle waste is an important open question. Radioactive waste management is one of the 19 areas the IAEA review will look at.^[2]

Costs are genuinely uncertain, especially for early SMRs; the IAEA says their economic competitiveness has yet to be proven in practice.^[5] On the other side, nuclear plants can run for long periods without refuelling and are less exposed to swings in global fuel prices, which supports more stable costs over the long term.^[2] We think the costs should be studied openly, not assumed.

Nobody knows yet, and no site has been chosen, because no decision to deploy has been made.^[1] Nuclear is very land-efficient,^[4] and SMRs’ smaller size can open up sites that don’t suit large plants.^[5] Siting and safety zones in a dense city are among the hardest questions any study would need to answer.

A long time. Singapore starts the first phase of the IAEA review in 2027, with the final report expected around 2027/2028.^[2] The Prime Minister has said that, based on other countries’ experience, preparation and infrastructure development can take well over 15 years.^[8] That’s why young people should care: it’s our generation’s grid.

Yes, for cooperation and learning. The US–Singapore 123 Agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy was signed in July 2024 and entered into force in December 2024, built on a shared commitment to non-proliferation.^[9][10] A further US–Singapore MOU on civil nuclear cooperation was signed in January 2025.^[11]

We’re for them! Solar is growing fast, but land limits it to around 10% of Singapore’s electricity needs by 2050.^[1] Imports can help a lot but come with their own risks.^[2] We think Singapore benefits from having as many clean options as possible.

Not at all. People who care about the environment and Singapore’s future share our goals, even when we disagree on the best route. We aim to listen, share sources, and keep the conversation respectful. We are independent and don’t speak for the Government.