Kuala lumpur: Nuclear energy should be part of the global solution to meet surging electricity demand while cutting carbon emissions, according to a technology (tech) futurist Pablos Holman. Consequently, Holman said the world would need to dramatically scale up clean and reliable power generation in the decades ahead.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Holman emphasized the need for a rethinking of global energy systems, warning that existing approaches are insufficient to support population growth, industrial expansion, and the rise of energy-intensive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). He highlighted the unsustainable rate at which energy demand is outpacing current supply capabilities, driven by a global population now at about eight billion.
During his keynote address at the 3Dexperience World 2026 by Dassault Systemes, Holman stated that global energy production must increase several-fold to meet existing needs and future technological advancements. The four-day event, held from February 1-4, attracts around 4,000 participants, including designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
Holman, the bestselling author of Deep Future, published by Forbes, and a renowned technology futurist, acknowledged the progress in renewable energy sources like solar and wind but noted their limitations due to intermittency and storage challenges. In contrast, he described nuclear energy as a dense, reliable, and low-emissions power source capable of supporting large-scale industrial and technological growth.
Holman also pointed out that nuclear material offers significantly more usable energy than fossil fuels, with existing stockpiles of depleted uranium potentially providing energy for generations without new mining. This could reduce the environmental impact and supply risks associated with energy production.
The focus on nuclear energy is timely as Asian countries reassess their energy strategies amid rising electricity demand and pressure to meet climate commitments. In Malaysia, the Nuklear Malaysia Vision 2030 (WNM 2030) is being reinforced through strategic policies emphasizing professionalism, innovation, and social responsibility.
The Malaysian government, through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI), is tasked with developing the legal and regulatory framework for nuclear energy implementation. The country's nuclear technology development is regulated under the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 and monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with commitments to international treaties like the NPT and CTBT.
Recently, PETRA clarified that the Malaysia-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) does not alter the country's nuclear policy direction. While exploring nuclear energy, Malaysia remains committed to aligning any nuclear cooperation with national interests, security, and international commitments, ensuring policy sovereignty and autonomy.
Nuclear energy has contributed RM9.16 billion to Malaysia's economy from 2015 to 2024 through exports of products derived from local nuclear technology.