Limited knowledge of nuclear energy in S-E Asia a challenge: IAEA chief

As nations’ interest in nuclear power grows, public must learn what it entails, he says

- Shabana Begum Correspondent

Despite the region’s pursuit of nuclear power, there is a lack of public understanding about it, and this can affect whether it is accepted by people, said the chief of the United Nations nuclear watchdog Rafael Grossi.

He is hoping that Singapore’s 2027 ASEAN chairmanship will help to deepen dialogue between the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which he heads, and the region, where people often mix up nuclear energy with nuclear weapons.

“In (the ASEAN region) there is still an important lack of information... so obviously generalisations appear here and there, and there is an amalgamation of nuclear weapons with nuclear energy,” Grossi told reporters at an IAEA seminar for journalists on June 12.

It is important to educate people about what nuclear energy entails, existing safety networks and how other countries do it, he said.

“What is successful in other parts of the world can also be successful in ASEAN.”

IAEA helps newcomer countries in areas such as conducting public opinion surveys and training spokespersons on how to speak to the public about nuclear power.

In recent years, South-east Asia has seen a renewed interest in nuclear power, the result of energy security concerns and the push to transition to cleaner forms of power. Atomic energy does not release planet-warming carbon emissions.

In March, Vietnam entered an agreement with Russia on the construction of the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, with operations aimed for the early 2030s.