Former PAP MP Amrin Amin weighed in on Singapore’s energy future in a Facebook post on Monday (26 Oct).
“I think nuclear deserves a serious look in Singapore, if it can be made safe,” he wrote.
In the post, Mr Amrin reflected on Singapore’s energy vulnerabilities after Indonesia recently reduced its piped natural gas supply to Singapore.
He noted that imported natural gas currently generates about 95% of Singapore’s electricity.
However, he also points out that Indonesia’s cuts amount to “less than 2% of our daily demand”.
Mr Amrin credits Singapore’s planning, saying: “It’s manageable because we planned for moments like this. Chicken, eggs, masks: each taught us to shop around.”
“We’re not waiting for a crisis before preparing alternatives,” Mr Amrin said, using NEWater as an example.
Source: NEWater
He pointed to Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng’s announcements at Singapore International Energy Week.
During the event on 26 Oct, Dr Tan outlined Singapore’s plans to develop nuclear expertise by training specialists with international partners and assessing the feasibility of nuclear power.
Dr Tan also announced that Singapore will look into geothermal energy after geographical surveys showed promising results.
“As usual, it starts with people,” the former MP noted.
Source: Amrin Amin on Facebook
Mr Amrin also reflected on regional geopolitics, stressing that Singapore cannot be complacent despite good diplomatic relations.
We live in a tough neighbourhood. We can smile, shake hands and share (imported) durians. But friendships can cool, and yesterday’s assurances may not always hold tomorrow.
Mr Amrin also reminded citizens that while they cannot change the country’s geography or lack of natural resources, they can control how it responds.
He also recognises that trust, rather than technical expertise, is the difficult part of responding well.
The former MP stressed that any future nuclear plans will require deep public trust, especially given Singapore’s dense urban landscape.
“A reactor might one day sit a few kilometres from someone’s HDB block,” he said.
As such, he believes that residents’ confidence about the safety of nuclear projects must be “earned well before any decision is made”.
“I suspect the engineering will be the easier part,” he concludes.
Also read: Indonesia cuts natural gas exports to S’pore by 9% after minister warns ‘disrespectful’ countries
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Featured image adapted from Amirin Amin on Facebook.