PETRA positions nuclear power as a strategic, low-carbon solution amid global fuel volatility and geopolitical uncertainty
MALAYSIA is accelerating its exploration of nuclear energy as a cornerstone of its long-term national electricity strategy, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water (PETRA) confirmed today.
The move aims to enhance the country’s energy security while supporting its transition to low-carbon electricity, as outlined in the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 31 July 2025.
Deputy Prime Minister II and Minister of Energy Transition and Water, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, stressed that assessing nuclear power’s feasibility has become increasingly vital in the face of a shifting global energy landscape, characterised by fuel supply volatility and heightened geopolitical tensions.
“Tensions in West Asia, including disruptions to strategic energy trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, have negatively affected global energy markets and supply,” he explained.
“In this context, nuclear energy provides stable, low-carbon base-load generation and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.”
Fadillah also highlighted that other ASEAN countries are re-evaluating nuclear energy within their energy diversification strategies.
The Philippines plans up to 4,800 megawatts of nuclear capacity by 2050, Vietnam has reintegrated nuclear power into its national energy agenda, and Indonesia is investigating small modular and floating reactors as adaptable, clean energy solutions by 2030.
Fadillah, in a statement on Friday, confirmed that MyPOWER Corporation, an agency under the ministry, has been appointed as the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO) to lead and coordinate Malaysia’s phased nuclear energy programme, following the Milestones Approach recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The agency is undertaking comprehensive assessments encompassing policy formulation, legal and regulatory frameworks, project evaluation, domestic industry participation, stakeholder engagement, and human capital development.
“The government’s priority is to ensure that any consideration of nuclear energy development is executed with meticulous planning, based on thorough technical analysis, and aligned with national development priorities and Malaysia’s international commitments,” Fadillah added.
He emphasised that this approach aligns with the Malaysia MADANI vision, which advocates long-term, knowledge-based planning, sustainable resource management, and the well-being of current and future generations.
The initiative underscores Malaysia’s strategic commitment to diversify its energy portfolio while preparing for a future in which stable, low-carbon electricity is essential to national development, economic resilience, and sustainable growth.
Source: The Vibe