Latest news with #RafaelGrossi
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Nuclear power partnerships in Asean: Worth studying despite hurdles
[SINGAPORE] Interest in nuclear power has surged across South-east Asia , with countries eyeing a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels that is more consistent than solar or wind power. As Singapore and its neighbours deepen their exploration, joint nuclear power projects and regional trade could also be worth examining. This possibility was raised by the director-general of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog on Friday (Jul 25). Rafael Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) not only highlighted Singapore as a 'perfect example' of a country that needs nuclear power, but suggested that projects could involve regional partnerships. 'My personal impression is that within a few years, you will see your first nuclear power (project)... perhaps in a wider sense, in combination or cooperation with your Asean neighbors,' he said at a dialogue while visiting the Republic. Singapore has stepped up its exploration of nuclear power in tandem with its neighbours. Last year, the Republic inked a 30-year deal with the US to study advanced nuclear technologies. This includes exploring the use of small modular reactors (SMRs), which can be as small as a three-storey building and suit land-scarce Singapore. Our neighbours are likewise racing to explore nuclear energy. The Philippines aims to have its first nuclear power plant by 2032, decades after a mothballed attempt in the 1980s. Indonesia wants to build its first nuclear power plant by 2034. Malaysia recently decided that nuclear power is 'one of the options' for energy post-2035. At the same time, plans for regional energy trade – via the Asean power grid – are moving forward. Singapore wants to import 6 gigawatts (GW) of low-carbon electricity by 2035, and has issued conditional licences and approvals for projects in Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Australia. An expansion of a separate energy trade deal – involving Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore – is also in the works. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 12.30 pm ESG Insights An exclusive weekly report on the latest environmental, social and governance issues. Sign Up Sign Up Similar regional deals for nuclear power are not inconceivable. As Grossi noted, Croatia and Slovenia have successfully pulled off such a partnership. Both countries co-own the Krsko nuclear power plant in Slovenia, which started operations in 1983. The plant provides 16 per cent of Croatia's energy needs and a fifth of Slovenia's annually. That said, geopolitics could certainly be a significant hurdle for collaboration on nuclear power to take off. Thailand and Cambodia recently clashed at the border. South-east Asian countries also have to navigate US-China tensions. In such a volatile environment, countries may be more invested in their domestic energy security than on interdependence. The need for regulatory frameworks will be another hurdle to clear. Having nuclear power in Asean would require countries to set clear base rules to ensure safety and the non-proliferation of weapons. As one observer previously told BT: 'If it's left to individual governments to set standards, you run the (risk) that one country has a much higher standard than another, but they are in close proximity to each other... If one country is going to place its nuclear reactor just at the border of another country, imagine how (the other country) will feel.' The road to any possible consideration of nuclear power in the Asean power grid will certainly be a long and complex one. But the potential benefits – with a baseload source of clean electricity that boosts the region's resilience – are too large to ignore.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
U.N. nuclear watchdog chief says Iran ready to restart technical conversations
SINGAPORE, July 25 (Reuters) - Iran has indicated that it will be ready to restart technical-level discussions on its nuclear programme with the United Nations nuclear watchdog, IAEA head Rafael Grossi said on Friday. The International Atomic Energy Agency has said it must be allowed to resume inspections after Israeli and U.S. airstrikes last month that aimed to destroy Iran's nuclear programme and deny it the capacity to build a nuclear weapon. Rafael Grossi said in Singapore that Iran must be transparent about its facilities and activities. He told reporters alongside a public lecture that the IAEA had proposed that Iran start discussions on "the modalities as to how to restart or begin (inspections) again". "So this is what we are planning to do, perhaps starting on technical details and, later on, moving on to high level consultations," Grossi said, adding that technical teams sent to Iran for talks will not include inspectors yet. On Wednesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran had agreed to allow a technical team from the IAEA to visit in the coming weeks, but not to go to the nuclear sites. Tehran, which denies seeking to build a nuclear weapon, has said access to the bombed sites poses security and safety risks. Grossi said he had no further information from Iran on the status and whereabouts of its stock of some 400 kg of highly enriched uranium. "This is why it is so important that we engage as soon as possible and that we can start our inspection," he said. (This story has been corrected to remove the attribution of the phrase 'So this will not include inspections yet' to Grossi in paragraph 6)
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
On Singapore visit, IAEA head addresses nuclear waste and energy plans
SINGAPORE – Mr Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was in Singapore on July 25 to meet leaders and deliver a public lecture at NUS. To mark his first visit to Singapore, he also met the local media for an hour-long interview at Shangri-La Singapore. A range of issues were discussed, including on nuclear waste, Asia's bid to harness more nuclear energy and China's nuclear reactor manufacturing. Here are his takes. Q: What are the possible options for nuclear waste disposal in Asean? A: Mr Grossi said there are a number of steps involved in the proper disposal of nuclear waste. 'In the case of a nuclear power plant, for quite a long period, the spent fuel is stored at the site of the nuclear power plant,' he said. Spent fuel refers to nuclear fuel that has been removed after being used in a nuclear reactor. Used fuel is normally stored underwater – with the practice known as wet storage – for at least five years, before it is moved to dry storage, according to the World Nuclear Association. 'Eventually, with time, with decades passing, countries start to look into a final repository,' Mr Grossi said. The IAEA helps countries to determine this through a process known as siting, he added. 'What is done here is a very thorough geological analysis to determine which place (in) a country has geological conditions that would allow for the storage of a few containers of spent fuel that are going to be there without any leaks or without affecting the environment.' Q: What is the appetite for nuclear energy in Asia and South-east Asia? A: Mr Grossi said there is 'a lot of activity' in the region, citing Japan, China and South Korea as examples of countries that are ramping up their nuclear energy capacities. On Asean, he said: 'There is a real interest. I don't know if they're going to be able to deploy (nuclear energy) by the early 2030s, but they are going in that direction.' During a public lecture he delivered at the National University of Singapore on July 25, Mr Grossi said countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam are also planning to have nuclear power plants. 'On the feasibility of each case, (the IAEA) will be seeing it individually. We will be engaged, and we are,' he said. 'The issue of the timeline is a national thing.' The UN nuclear body has a method to assist countries that are considering or planning their first nuclear power plant. The IAEA also guides them through the process, from the decision-making to final investment and construction. Q: China is building small modular reactors. Is this the latest technology for nuclear power plants? A: Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced and compact reactors that can be factory-assembled and installed in dense urban areas. They are also known to be safer than traditional large reactors, but are currently still in a research phase. Noting that Chinese technology is 'very developed', Mr Grossi said China might be one of the potential vendors of SMRs for Singapore if the Republic decides to tap nuclear energy. 'I think that China is perhaps the fastest-growing country in terms of the number of units being built at this point in time, and that creates a lot of expertise and a lot of experience,' he said. According to the IAEA's website, China operates 58 civil nuclear reactors and has almost 30 new builds in progress. This represents nearly half of all power reactors currently under construction worldwide. The nation is expected to leapfrog the US to become the world's largest atomic energy generator by the end of the decade, Bloomberg reported in April. Q: How does the IAEA strike a balance between its two roles as the international authority for nuclear power and as the global watchdog for nuclear security? A: Mr Grossi said that the IAEA is an impartial institution. 'I think every country that is operating normally and safely and with no proliferation concerns is a member of the IAEA in good standing,' he said. Nuclear non-proliferation refers to efforts aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology. He added that these countries are transparent and undergo inspection by IAEA. They also carry out safety and security reviews and participate actively in the regulatory activities. 'The IAEA is an impartial institution that is there in support,' Mr Grossi said, adding that the institution will share best practices and advice with countries. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
CNA
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Fears that nuclear energy brings danger not sustainable: IAEA chief
ASEAN must confront nuclear energy head-on, warns the world's top nuclear official, as Southeast Asia's energy demand is set to surge over 60 per cent by 2050. In an interview with CNA, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi dismissed fears over nuclear power as 'not sustainable.' He says if the government moves ahead, Singapore is well placed for a smooth transition, given its readiness and strong foundations. Nicolas Ng has more.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
On Singapore visit, IAEA head addresses nuclear waste and energy plans
Find out what's new on ST website and app. IAEA head Rafael Grossi said the UN nuclear body has a method to assist countries that are considering or planning their first nuclear power plant. SINGAPORE – Mr Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), was in Singapore on July 25 to meet leaders and deliver a public lecture at NUS. To mark his first visit to Singapore, he also met local media for an hour-long interview at the Shangri-La Hotel . A range of issues were discussed, including on nuclear waste, Asia's bid to harness more nuclear energy and China's nuclear reactor manufacturing. Here are his takes. Q: What are the possible options for nuclear waste disposal in Asean? A: Mr Grossi said there are a number of steps involved in the proper disposal of nuclear waste. 'In the case of a nuclear power plant, for quite a long period, the spent fuel is stored at the site of the nuclear power plant,' he said. Spent fuel refers to nuclear fuel that has been removed after being used in a nuclear reactor. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, Grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Singapore As Asean looks to nuclear energy, public education efforts are needed: UN nuclear watchdog chief Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of PM Anwar Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Asia Shunsaku Tamiya, who brought perfection to plastic race car models, dies at 90 Storage of used fuel is normally done underwater – with the practice also known as wet storage – for at least five years, before it is moved to dry storage, according to the World Nuclear Association. 'Eventually, with time, with decades passing, countries start to look into a final repository,' Mr Grossi said. The IAEA helps countries to determine this through a process known as siting, he added. 'What is done here is a very thorough geological analysis to determine which place (in) a country has geological conditions that would allow for the storage of a few containers of spent fuel that are going to be there without any leaks or without affecting the environment.' Q: What is the appetite for nuclear energy in Asia and South-east Asia? A: Mr Grossi said there is 'a lot of activity' in the region, citing Japan, China and South Korea as examples of countries that are ramping up their nuclear energy capacities. On Asean, he said: 'There is a real interest. I don't know if they're going to be able to deploy (nuclear energy) by the early 2030s, but they are going in that direction.' During a public lecture he delivered at NUS on July 25 , Mr Grossi said that countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam are also planning to have nuclear power plants. 'On the feasibility of each case, (IAEA) will be seeing it individually. We will be engaged, and we are,' he said. 'The issue of the timeline is a national thing.' The UN nuclear body has a method to assist countries that are considering or planning their first nuclear power plant. The IAEA also guides them through the process, from the decision-making to final investment and construction. Q: China is building small modular reactors. Is this the latest technology for nuclear power plants? A: Small modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced and compact reactors that can be factory-assembled and installed in dense urban areas. They are also known to be safer than traditional large reactors, but are currently still in a research phase. Noting that Chinese technology is 'very developed', Mr Grossi said China might be one of the potential vendors of SMRs for Singapore if it decides to tap nuclear energy. 'I think that China is perhaps the fastest-growing country in terms of the number of units being built at this point in time, and that creates a lot of expertise and a lot of experience,' he said. According to IAEA's website, China operates 58 civil nuclear reactors and has almost 30 new builds in progress. This represents nearly half of all power reactors currently under construction worldwide. The nation is expected to leapfrog the US to become the world's largest atomic energy generator by the end of the decade, Bloomberg reported in April. Q: How does the IAEA strike a balance between its two roles as the international authority for nuclear power and as the global watchdog for nuclear security? A: Mr Grossi said that the IAEA is an impartial institution. 'I think every country that is operating normally and safely and with no proliferation concerns is a member of the IAEA in good standing,' he said. Nuclear non-proliferation refers to efforts aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology. He added that these countries are transparent and undergo inspection by IAEA. They also carry out safety and security reviews and participate actively in the regulatory activities. 'The IAEA is an impartial institution that is there in support,' Mr Grossi said, adding that the institution will share best practices and advice with countries.
