Net-zero emissions drive ASEAN towards clean energy; Thai scholar: Region should cooperate to promote SMRs

(Central News Agency, Reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, July 1) Thawachai Onjun, Executive Director of the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology, stated that as ASEAN countries face pressure from net-zero carbon emissions and rapid growth in electricity demand, they are accelerating the transition to clean energy. Among these, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are receiving attention from many countries. He called for ASEAN to establish a regional cooperation mechanism to jointly accelerate the development of SMRs.

Thawachai Onjun, Executive Director of the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT), stated at a forum during "Asia Sustainable Energy Week" (ASEW) today that ASEAN's population continues to grow, coupled with the rapid development of AI, data centers, and the digital economy. The region's electricity demand is projected to nearly double by 2050 compared to the present. However, most countries still rely on fossil fuels for power generation, making it a common challenge to balance energy security with carbon reduction.

"Asia Sustainable Energy Week" is one of Asia's most influential clean energy events. This year's exhibition is being held from the 1st to the 3rd at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok. It primarily focuses on three major areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage, with the goal of promoting Asia towards net-zero carbon emissions.

Thawachai pointed out that SMRs possess advantages such as small scale, high deployment flexibility, and stable 24-hour power supply, and are considered an important technology suitable for ASEAN's energy transition.

However, Thawachai also admitted that many people still hold skeptical attitudes towards nuclear energy, saying, "Whenever nuclear energy is mentioned, the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear accidents are still imprinted in many people's minds, so how to gain public acceptance for nuclear energy is a major challenge."

He added that besides social acceptance, regulatory systems, human resource development, and funding are also important challenges in promoting nuclear energy.

Thawachai also specifically mentioned Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines as three countries actively promoting nuclear energy and being pioneers in the region. Vietnam plans to commission its first nuclear power plant between 2030 and 2035; Indonesia plans to deploy large nuclear power plants by 2040, noting that SMRs are particularly suitable for archipelagic geography; the Philippines has included SMRs in its national energy strategy, aiming to establish nuclear power generation capacity by 2032.

As for Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, they continue to evaluate SMR technology and plan related policies. Thawachai pointed out that Thailand's recently announced draft of the new Power Development Plan (PDP) has included nuclear energy as an option and is cooperating with the United States and South Korea to establish a regulatory framework that meets International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards.

Thawachai called for ASEAN to establish a regional cooperation mechanism in promoting SMRs. He indicated that if ASEAN countries promote SMRs individually, not only will the costs be higher, but there may also be redundant investments in regulatory reviews and technical assessments.

He suggested that ASEAN could jointly establish a nuclear energy academy, hold SMR regulatory forums, and set up technology assessment centers, thereby reducing costs and accelerating development through the sharing of talent, technology, and regulatory experience. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150701

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