Malaysia Evaluates Nuclear Energy Option to Strengthen Long-Term Energy Security
Malaysia is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the potential role of nuclear power in its future energy mix as part of efforts to strengthen long-term energy security and support the transition to lower‑carbon electricity generation. The initiative, led by MyPOWER Corporation Malaysia, will examine policy, regulatory frameworks, project feasibility and workforce requirements. According to official reporting, the study reflects the government’s broader strategy to prepare for shifts in global energy markets while maintaining a stable domestic power supply.
National assessment of nuclear energy feasibility
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the feasibility assessment forms part of preparations aligned with the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (13MP), tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 31 July 2025. The study will examine policy development, legal and regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement, project feasibility, industry participation and the development of specialised human capital.
MyPOWER Corporation Malaysia, an agency under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), has been appointed as the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO). In this role, it will coordinate preparatory work following the phased development framework recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
“The need to evaluate the feasibility of nuclear energy is increasingly relevant amid a changing global energy landscape shaped by geopolitical uncertainties and fluctuations in fuel supply and prices,” — Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
Energy security concerns shape policy discussion
Malaysia’s exploration of nuclear power comes amid heightened concerns about global energy market volatility. According to Fadillah, geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, and potential disruptions to key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz have highlighted vulnerabilities in global fuel supply chains.
In this context, nuclear energy is being evaluated as a potential source of stable baseload electricity that could reduce reliance on fossil fuels while supporting the country’s broader clean energy ambitions. At the same time, Malaysia has continued investing in energy system resilience, including initiatives such as digital monitoring systems to secure electricity distribution across the national grid.
Regional interest in nuclear energy grows
Malaysia’s evaluation mirrors wider regional interest in nuclear energy as Southeast Asian countries consider diversifying their energy sources. Several governments are reviewing or expanding nuclear plans as part of long-term decarbonisation and energy security strategies.
The Philippines, for example, aims to deploy up to 4,800 megawatts of nuclear generation capacity by 2050. Vietnam has also reintroduced nuclear power into its national energy planning framework, while Indonesia is exploring small modular reactors (SMRs), including floating reactor concepts, with a potential deployment timeline around 2030.
Careful evaluation aligned with national priorities
Fadillah emphasised that Malaysia’s priority is to ensure any decision regarding nuclear development is grounded in rigorous technical assessment and consistent with international obligations. The government intends to examine safety, regulatory readiness, environmental considerations and long-term economic implications before determining whether nuclear power should form part of the national energy mix.
The initiative also reflects Malaysia’s broader development agenda under the MADANI Malaysia framework, which emphasises sustainable and knowledge-driven growth. Energy planning is closely tied to the country’s wider economic transformation efforts, including initiatives to strengthen innovation and digital infrastructure as outlined in policies supporting technology-led economic growth.
