SINGAPORE – Building a nuclear plant offshore could provide more distance between the reactors and the general population, but would also come with challenges, like isolating its workforce, said the chair of the National Environment Agency\u2019s (NEA) Nuclear Safety Advisory Panel. <\/p>\n
Professor Laurence Williams, who hails from Britain, said other factors to consider included the need to build subsea cables to transfer electricity from the plant to the mainland, security issues and extreme weather conditions. <\/p>\n
Prof Williams, who has 50 years of international nuclear experience under his belt, was speaking to the media on Nov 14. He is due to receive the Public Service Medal at the 2025 National Awards Investiture on Nov 16. He is among 186 recipients who have been awarded the medal.<\/p>\n
After being a member of the advisory panel since 2016, Prof Williams was appointed chairman in 2025. In this role, which he will hold until 2027, he will advise NEA on nuclear safety, security, safeguards and emergency preparedness in the light of regional developments as Singapore ramps up its capability-building efforts.<\/p>\n
Beyond NEA, other government organisations that have an interest in nuclear energy can also come to the panel and ask for advice on regulation, approaches to regulation, technologies, radiation protection and emergency preparedness, he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very much an independent advisory role to help Singapore understand the nuclear technology and some of the issues from surrounding countries, and also help them prepare that,\u201d said Prof Williams, who added that it was a \u201cgreat honour\u201d to be chairman. <\/p>\n
He was previously Her Majesty\u2019s Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, as well as chairman of the Defence Nuclear Safety Committee in Britain.<\/p>\n
On the global stage, he was chairman of the Commission on Safety Standards at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog, from 2000 to 2005. <\/p>\n
He currently sits on the High Scientific Council of the European Nuclear Society.<\/p>\n
Singapore is mulling over the use of nuclear energy to safeguard energy security and affordability in a climate-friendly way. <\/p>\n
Discussions on this issue so far have touched on possible locations for such a plant \u2013 including in offshore areas \u2013 if Singapore decides to deploy nuclear energy. <\/p>\n
Prof Williams said positioning a nuclear plant nearer to where communities are could also have benefits. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf the power plant is near your community, then you\u2019re more likely to be interested in making sure that it\u2019s being operated properly and safely,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be proper analysis done of all siting locations, and those decisions will be made for a variety of reasons, (such as) safety, security and operation,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
While Singapore has yet to make a decision on deploying nuclear energy, the country is \u201cseriously studying\u201d it and is looking closely at advanced nuclear technologies like small modular reactors.<\/p>\n
Asked about the steps that Singapore needs to take if it is considering deploying nuclear energy, Prof Williams said launching a nuclear energy programme requires a detailed road map.<\/p>\n
Among other things, Singapore has to have access to technical capabilities, build a skilled workforce that understands the challenges, develop public awareness and confidence, set timelines and establish a robust legal and regulatory framework, he said.<\/p>\n
A strong legal framework to regulate nuclear energy deployment is key because of its high energy density and hazard potential, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to have a special legal framework that puts responsibilities on operators, and also gives powers and responsibilities to the regulator who is acting on behalf of the government and the public to make sure the operator does the right things,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n