Offshore nuclear plant creates distance from population, but poses challenges: Expert

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 chairman of the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Nuclear Safety Advisory Panel.

- Chin Hui Shan

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.

Prof Williams, who has 50 years of international nuclear experience under his belt, was speaking to the media on Nov 14. He received the Public Service Medal at the 2025 National Awards Investiture on Nov 16. He is among 186 recipients who have been awarded the medal.

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.

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.

“It’s 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,” said Prof Williams, who added that it was a “great honour” to be chairman.

He was previously Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, as well as chairman of the Defence Nuclear Safety Committee in Britain.

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.

He currently sits on the High Scientific Council of the European Nuclear Society.

Singapore is mulling over the use of nuclear energy to safeguard energy security and affordability in a climate-friendly way.