FEASIBILITY OF NUCLEAR POWER FOR SINGAPORE

FEASIBILITY OF NUCLEAR POWER FOR SINGAPORE:

(Update on assessment after Fukushima incident): 5.

Mr Teo Siong Seng asked the Minister for Trade and Industry in view of the recent Fukushima nuclear fallout, whether his Ministry would provide an update on the status of the feasibility study for nuclear power in Singapore.

6.

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Fukushima nuclear power plant crisis in Japan has derailed the Government's decision to study nuclear energy as an option; and (b) whether the Government has assessed the risks to Singapore if ASEAN countries pursue nuclear energy options.

7.

Mr Michael Palmer asked the Minister for Trade and Industry in light of the ongoing Fukushima nuclear power plant crisis in Japan (a) whether the Government would reconsider proceeding with a pre-feasibility study for nuclear power in Singapore; and (b) whether the Government would explore other sources of alternative energy instead of nuclear energy.

The Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Mr S Iswaran):

(for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission to take Question Nos. 5 to 7 together?

Mr Speaker: Yes.

Mr Iswaran: Mr Speaker, Sir, in light of the crisis of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, it is quite understandable that Members have raised questions about the Government’s study on nuclear energy.

Let me first emphasise that what we have embarked on is a "pre-feasibility" study on nuclear energy. A "pre-feasibility" study is a preliminary step for us to better understand the complex field of nuclear energy. The aim is to gain a deeper insight into critical issues like the different technologies that are available and being developed; the international regulatory regime; the essential elements for the safe operation of a nuclear plant; the management of spent nuclear fuel; protection against terrorist attacks; radiation protection; and emergency planning. Even with the completion of the pre-feasibility study, we will still be a long way away from making any decisions on nuclear energy for Singapore per se .

The Member for Hougang has asked if the Fukushima incident would derail our study of nuclear energy. On the contrary, what happened in Fukushima makes it all the more important that we conduct such a study, and build our knowledge and understanding of nuclear energy. Further, several countries in our region, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, have announced plans for nuclear energy. Therefore, even if we do not proceed with nuclear energy for Singapore, we need to understand its implications for the region and for us in Singapore.

Our scientists and engineers must know how current and emerging nuclear technology work, and be able to assess fully the safety risks associated with nuclear energy. Only then can we work constructively with our ASEAN partners and other partners to ensure that nuclear energy, whenever and wherever it is deployed in this region, is done so in a safe and secure manner.

The pre-feasibility study will help us understand these risks and make recommendations on the type of training, education and research that will be necessary.

It will take months, if not years, for the global nuclear energy community to assess the lessons from Fukushima. But in a world with increasing competition for scarce energy supplies, nuclear energy will continue to be an option for many countries. We should, therefore, deliberately, systematically and methodically shore up our knowledge and understanding of nuclear energy issues.

Mr Michael Palmer has asked about alternative sources of energy. We are also actively exploring options to diversify our fuel mix in the near and medium term. The completion of our liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal will expand our geographical sources of energy. We have been studying other energy options such as electricity imports, renewable energy and clean coal, while investing in R&D to improve energy efficiency and develop new energy technologies.

Mr Speaker, Sir, with energy constraints expected to increase in the future, we need to adopt a portfolio approach and maintain a range of energy options for Singapore.