Kuala lumpur: Several ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, have agreed in principle to consider nuclear energy as one of the future energy sources. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof indicated that neighboring countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Thailand are also contemplating the nuclear option in their energy strategies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof emphasized the importance of ensuring a reliable power supply to support economic growth and meet the energy demands of industries, particularly in the digital economy sectors like artificial intelligence and energy-intensive data centers. He noted that nuclear energy is being considered as a viable option. During a recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Energy Ministerial Meeting in South Korea, APEC economies acknowledged nuclear energy as a potential means to secure a clean energy supply.

Fadillah pointed out that advancements in technology, safety, and environmental impacts have significantly improved in second to third generation nuclear power plants, leading to greater global acceptance. He made these remarks during a speech at the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) Media Night.

As the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, Fadillah highlighted that MyPower, an agency under PETRA, has been tasked with conducting a study on nuclear energy use. However, the adoption of nuclear energy is expected to occur within the next 10 to 15 years. Additionally, he mentioned the necessity for Malaysia to explore smart grid systems, as solar and other renewable energy sources remain unstable.

To address this, the government is exploring ways to enhance the grid system by transitioning to a smart grid that will improve efficiency in energy storage, usage, and monitoring.