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The panel will support Singapore’s assessment of nuclear energy readiness, covering areas from nuclear safety and regulation to financing and workforce development.
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has appointed a panel of 12 consultants to support Singapore’s preparations for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 1 Mission in 2027.
As part of the preparations, the Government is building capabilities across the 19 areas under the IAEA Milestones Approach to support an informed decision on nuclear energy.
The panel’s scope covers three categories: technical and economic considerations, legal and regulatory frameworks, and organisational capabilities.
The technical and economic category includes nuclear safety, funding and financing, radiation protection, environmental protection, safeguards, site selection and supporting facilities, electrical grid infrastructure, nuclear security, the nuclear fuel cycle, radioactive waste management, and emergency planning.
The legal and regulatory category covers the frameworks needed for nuclear energy, while the organisational category includes national position, industrial involvement, procurement, management systems, human resource development and stakeholder involvement.
The following is the full list of appointed consultants:
1. Aecom Singapore
2. Afry Singapore
3. AtkinsRealis Singapore
4. Excel Services Corporation
5. EY Corporate Advisors
6. GNE Advisory
7. Helixos
8. Kellogg Brown & Root Asia Pacific
9. Mott Macdonald Singapore
10. Pinsent Masons Mpillay Llp
11. The Boston Consulting Group
12. WSP Consultancy
Puah Kok Keong, Chief Executive of EMA, said developing the capabilities to rigorously assess the safety and suitability of nuclear energy is an important part of Singapore’s efforts to explore ways to strengthen its energy security.
He added that EMA looked forward to working with the consultants to strengthen the country’s technical capabilities ahead of the INIR Phase 1 Mission.
EMA will also appoint a second panel of technical advisers to support Singapore’s nuclear energy capability-building efforts. This panel is expected to be appointed by the end of 2026.
Singapore builds nuclear expertise amid rising regional interest
The appointments come as countries across Asia and Southeast Asia face growing energy needs while seeking to strengthen energy security and advance their net-zero ambitions.
Speaking at the IAEA@SIEW Forum, Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry), said nuclear energy offers a reliable, low-carbon source of electricity. Advances in nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), are also opening up possibilities for countries that previously faced constraints in deploying nuclear energy.
However, he noted that closer regional cooperation would be needed to ensure nuclear energy is developed safely and securely.
Minister Tan announced that Singapore and the Philippines had agreed to explore collaborations in nuclear energy. As Singapore assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, it will also seek to deepen regional collaboration and discussions through platforms including the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy and the Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-Sector Network.
He highlighted the complexity of developing a nuclear power programme, which requires expertise across areas such as workforce development, financing, legislation and industry development.
“Many studies need to be done before we can make an informed decision on deploying nuclear energy. Expertise has to be strengthened across a wide range of dimensions – from workforce development to financing; from legislation to industry development.”
The IAEA’s Milestones Approach provides countries considering nuclear power with a structured framework to assess and prepare for a potential programme. Its support also helps countries work towards internationally recognised standards and best practices.
Minister Tan also highlighted the importance of nuclear safety, saying that countries must be able to independently assess the safety and suitability of advanced nuclear technologies in their own national contexts.
“Above all, any nuclear power programme must be underpinned by the highest standards of safety, security and safeguards."
Workforce development forms part of Singapore’s preparations
Singapore is also building expertise across government and industry through its Nuclear Manpower Development Programmes, which Minister Tan said would strengthen nuclear capabilities.
Complementing these efforts, EMA and the National Environment Agency (NEA) will appoint international consultancy firms and experts to deepen technical expertise in nuclear safety, regulation and technology assessment.
The IAEA also works with Singapore and regional partners to strengthen coordination and preparedness for nuclear emergencies, including through the Singapore-IAEA Third Country Training Programme and other regional initiatives.
As more countries in Asia explore nuclear energy, the focus for Singapore remains on building the expertise, regulatory frameworks and safety capabilities needed to assess its suitability before making an informed decision on its potential role in the country’s energy future.
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Lead image / Minister Tan See Leng's Facebook
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