A memorandum of understanding (MOU) to exchange information and expertise on nuclear safety regulation, including small modular reactors (SMRs), has been signed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore and the UK Office for Nuclear Regulation. The partnership supports Singapore’s efforts to build capabilities in nuclear safety, and to study the feasibility of the safe deployment of nuclear energy, NEA said in a statement.

The exchange focuses closely on SMRs, which are considered highly suitable for land-scarce, densely populated regions like Singapore due to their smaller geographic footprint and passive safety features. The agreement funds and arranges the mutual training of scientific and technical staff to build long-term local competency.

The partnership is a key component of Singapore’s broader push to prepare for an upcoming 2027 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assessment that will evaluate its regulatory infrastructure and capability to safely manage nuclear technology.

While Singapore has not made a definitive decision to deploy nuclear energy, the government has significantly increased its capability studies. The Energy Market Authority (EMA) previously noted that advanced nuclear tech could eventually meet up to 10% of Singapore’s total electricity needs by 2050 to hit net-zero goals. Alongside the UK, Singapore has actively pursued information-sharing frameworks with established safety regulators in France, Finland, and the United States.

The five-year agreement, signed at the ONR’s office in London by ONR Director of Regulation – New Reactors Paul Dicks and NEA Deputy CEO Li-Na Koh, was witnessed by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu during her five-day visit to London and Paris to meet nuclear regulators, experts and technology providers.

The MOU establishes a framework for exchanging safety-related regulatory information across the full nuclear lifecycle – from siting, construction and commissioning through to operations, decommissioning and waste management. It covers the regulation of transporting radioactive material, radioactive sources, emergency preparedness, and importantly, regulatory considerations around new reactor technologies. Personnel exchanges and technical visits will support development of regulatory capability on both sides.

“Sharing licencing frameworks, inspection procedures, safety assessments and research helps ensure that robust regulatory standards keep pace with technological development, wherever in the world that development is happening,” ONR said. “This is part of our commitment to support embarking nations in the deployment of nuclear technologies and contribution to worldwide nuclear harmonisation and we were happy to explain and talk through our assessment and licencing processes to the Singapore delegation as they work to establish a new nuclear regulatory framework.”

Koh said the MOU will strengthen Singapore’s capabilities in radiation protection, nuclear safety and assessment. “Through partnerships with well-established regulators like ONR, NEA will deepen its technical expertise to understand new reactor technologies and build the institutional capabilities needed to rigorously assess nuclear safety,” she said.

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.