Singapore and nuclear power generation

[limweech]

I will be collecting links to speeches, articles, websites etc related to Singapore and nuclear power generation, in this thread.

[limweech]

SPEECH BY MR LEE HSIEN LOONG, PRIME MINISTER, AT SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ENERGY WEEK, 01 NOVEMBER 2010, 9:30 AM AT SUNTEC BALLROOM
http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/mica/speech/S-20101101-1.html

For Singapore, our small size poses additional challenges. Safety is a major concern because of our high urban density. A plant, if we ever build one, is very difficult to put very far from the population because no place in Singapore is far from population. And yet we cannot afford to dismiss the option of nuclear power altogether. So we should keep up with new developments, the technologies are advancing, smaller, safer reactors with more fuel efficient designs that reduce the amount of nuclear waste produced, and we must keep up with experiences in other countries, how they are using it, how they are deploying it, how they are managing the sentiments and concerns of the population and working out practical, sensible solutions to these problems. It will be a long time before we make any decision on nuclear energy but we should get ourselves ready to do so. And that means to give Singapore the ability to exercise the option should it one day become necessary and feasible. Therefore we have to start building up the capabilities now, to get in touch with the experts in the field, to train a few of our own engineers and scientists and then we can critically assess developments in nuclear technology and decide on the feasibility of nuclear deployment one day in the future.

[limweech]

Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) announced its key recommendations on 1 Feb 2010.
http://app.mof.gov.sg/data/cmsresource/ESC%20Report/ESC%20Full%20Report.pdf

18. In Singapore’s case, our small size means that there are several challenges with harnessing
nuclear energy. Safety is a major concern, especially given our high urban density. Reliability
of power supply is also a consideration – the large size of a typical nuclear plant relative to
Singapore’s total energy supply may cause problems for the electricity grid if the plant trips or
is undergoing maintenance. There are also complex issues relating to nuclear fuel and waste
disposal.
19. However, advances in nuclear technologies can help to address these challenges. New
generation technologies are being developed which are inherently safer than earlier reactor
designs, with safety systems that dramatically reduce the possibility of human error. There are
also modular designs which allow smaller reactors to be produced and fuel-efficient designs
that reduce the amount of waste produced.
20. While there is no immediate or near term need, Singapore should begin studying the
possibility and feasibility of nuclear energy as an option for the longer term, particularly
with regard to safety, technical factors and economic viability. This is because the process of
developing nuclear energy, if deemed feasible, is likely to take at least 15 years. At the same
time, developing expertise in the evolving nuclear energy technologies will have economic spin-
offs and applications in fields such as research and nuclear medicine.

[limweech]

Sep 6, 2011 Government needs new social compact, says ESM Goh
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_709901.html

On Monday, he was also asked about Singapore's plans for nuclear energy following the disaster in Japan.

Replying, Mr Goh said the disaster had put a pause - but not a full stop - in Singapore's ongoing study of nuclear power as a possible source of power in the future.

'We're now trying to understand the complexity of nuclear energy - its safety features, risks and benefits, including the possibility of an accident,' he said.