Southeast Asia dives into nuclear energy for cleaner future

In Southeast Asia, the only operational nuclear power plant was established in the Philippines over four decades ago but was left unused due to safety concerns and corruption. Despite this, countries in the region are now exploring nuclear energy as a solution for cleaner and more reliable energy sources. Indonesia has ambitious plans to build 20 nuclear plants, while Vietnam has revived its nuclear initiatives, having recently established a deal with Russia for atomic energy collaboration. Malaysia also sees a future where nuclear energy plays a significant role. However, challenges remain. Nuclear power plants require substantial investment and time to become operational and profitable, as seen with Vietnam's suspended project that saw costs balloon to $18 billion before its revival in partnership with Russia. Furthermore, financing for nuclear energy is still limited, though a growing number of financial institutions are expressing support for increased global nuclear capacity by 2050. Potential investors are keenly watching how Southeast Asian countries navigate these financial and political landscapes to build a nuclear energy infrastructure. Enhanced safety measures, including simpler designs and more cooling systems, have raised hopes for nuclear energy's acceptance. Advocates suggest modern reactors are safer than their predecessors due to longer response times in emergencies. Nevertheless, public acceptance hinges on addressing safety concerns, particularly in light of past nuclear disasters that have dampened enthusiasm across Southeast Asia. An underlying issue is the need for skilled personnel, as countries like Vietnam estimate they will need thousands of trained engineers to support their nuclear endeavors. This shortage of expertise can impede progress on ambitious plans to modernize energy supplies in a region dependent on transitioning toward cleaner energy alternatives.