Nuclear energy has been identified as a potential power source for up to 10% of our energy needs by 2050. New nuclear power plant designs have the potential to be much safer than many of the plants in operation today. In particular, nuclear fusion reactors promise to be even safer, as they do not rely on chain reactions, nor do they produce radioactive waste with an incredibly long “half life”. However, fusion reactors are still in the R&D phase. ITER (originally, “International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor”) is a giant experimental fusion reactor in France, which may deliver fusion power as early as 2045. Scientists from more than 35 countries are collaborating on this project to achieve the ambitious goal of grid-scale fusion electricity production. ITER recently produced a breakthrough of sorts, where it was able to produce more fusion energy than it consumed.
I asked the Prime Minister whether Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF) is looking into participating in ITER or other international fusion reactor projects, to allow Singaporean researchers direct access to the data and latest developments in the field
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who is also the chairman of the NRF board, replied that the NRF is currently not participating in any international fusion reactor projects, but is monitoring global developments related to fusion, including ITER, to identify where Singapore can participate and contribute meaningfully.
This is the full question I asked on 9 Jan 2023 and DPM Heng’s answer:
PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL FUSION REACTOR PROJECTS AND AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Prime Minister with regard to the recent experimental developments in fusion and the Government’s previously stated aims to look into nuclear fusion as a source of electricity generation (a) whether the National Research Foundation is looking to participate in any international fusion reactor projects, like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), to allow Singaporean researchers direct access to the data and latest developments in the field; and (b) if so, what projects have been looked into and how much funding is being provided.
Mr Heng Swee Keat (for the Prime Minister): The National Research Foundation is not currently participating in any international fusion reactor projects. Nonetheless, as part of our overall efforts of keeping abreast with the latest progress in nuclear technologies, we are monitoring global developments related to fusion, including at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), to identify where Singapore can participate and contribute meaningfully.
The latest development, in which researchers produced for the first time a small fusion reaction that generates more energy than it consumes, is a significant scientific advancement. However, more work needs to be done to achieve a much higher scale of net energy gain over a sustained period, for fusion to generate electricity in a commercially viable manner.
We will continue with our efforts to better understand the evolving nuclear science and technology by supporting research in relevant areas of nuclear science and engineering, and training a pool of scientists and experts through education programmes and collaborations with overseas nuclear technology partners.