Photo 1. Group photo of the webinar participants.
On March 11, 2026, the ASEAN Centre for Energy successfully held a webinar titled “Development of National Civilian Nuclear Energy in ASEAN". The event was collectively organised with the State Atomic Energy Cooperation (ROSATOM), gathering policymakers, international organisations, and energy experts to discuss the evolving role of civilian nuclear energy in supporting Southeast Asia’s long-term energy transition and energy security objectives.
King Lee, Head of Policy and Industry Engagement at the World Nuclear Association. opened the session by highlighting the global momentum toward nuclear power as a key element of climate action, noting that 38 governments have pledged to triple global nuclear power in which the nuclear capacity could reach 1,446 GWe by 2050. In this regard, nuclear technology was presented as a complementary energy source capable of supporting large-scale decarbonisation alongside renewable energy development
Alexander Tsybulya from ROSATOM followed a technical overview of modern nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and large-scale reactors, emphasizing their potential to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy stability. He also shared Russia’s experience in exporting nuclear power projects to various countries such as Hungary, Türkiye, Egypt, India, Bangladesh, and China.
Suzan Aksoy from TÜNAŞ presented Türkiye’s nuclear development strategy, stressing the importance of education and workforce training. The presentation illustrated how education and specialised training programmes form a crucial component of long-term nuclear energy strategies.
From ASEAN Member States, Senda Hurmuzan Kanam from Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources outlined Indonesia’s nuclear roadmap through 2060, and the role of NEPIO in program implementation. Meanwhile, Patrick T. Aquino from the Philippine Department of Energy shared updates on the country’s nuclear initiatives under the Nuclear Energy Programme Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC), including the PIONEER Nuclear Power Plant project, which aims to launch the nation’s first commercial reactor by 2032 with a 1,200 MW capacity.
The discussions explored international cooperation, financing models, and human resource development to ensure safe and sustainable nuclear infrastructure in ASEAN. The webinar concluded with a shared commitment to continued dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration to support ASEAN member states in exploring civilian nuclear energy as part of a sustainable and secure regional energy strategy.
