KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 5): The federal government will incorporate policies for the adoption of nuclear energy in the nation's energy mix under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, set to be implemented from 2026 to 2030, as part of its goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli revealed during a dialogue with the industry on Tuesday that nuclear energy is now "on the table" as a viable option for Malaysia's power generation, as he underscored that achieving the country's net-zero target by 2050 would be "quite difficult" without it.
"The stage of putting the regulations, governance and policies in place for nuclear energy has been quite advanced in the government," he said, adding that the decision had been formally endorsed by the National Energy Council (NEC) and the cabinet.
Following the dialogue session, Rafizi explained to the media that the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) are currently working to develop a legal and regulatory framework to govern the use of nuclear energy.
"The decision has been made at the cabinet level. So in the 13th Malaysia Plan, nuclear energy will be officially included as a potential source of clean energy for the country," he said.
The push for nuclear energy is driven by the need for a cleaner energy source and greater energy security, Rafizi said, highlighting that nuclear energy is a "cleaner" alternative when compared to fossil fuels like coal, making it an essential part of the nation’s efforts to meet its carbon neutrality goals.
Besides its environmental benefits, Rafizi pointed out that nuclear energy has economic advantages. "In terms of operational costs over the long run, nuclear power offers more stability. Unlike fossil fuels, which are subject to fluctuating prices, nuclear energy is less reliant on feedstock."
"For instance, if the cost of coal rises, so too does the price of electricity. With nuclear energy, the feedstock required is much more limited, providing a more stable and predictable power supply," he added.
Technological advancements have also made nuclear energy more feasible for Malaysia, Rafizi said, with new innovations like the Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) that allow for smaller, safer and more affordable nuclear plants that can be deployed in areas where conventional energy sources may not be as practical or cost-effective.
"The technology has advanced significantly compared to the large reactors of the past," he noted.
Despite the ambitious goals, Rafizi acknowledged the complexities involved in integrating nuclear energy into Malaysia's energy portfolio. He stressed that the government's policies and regulations will need to meet stringent international standards before any nuclear project can proceed.
"There is a long list of international compliance that we have to meet even before we can embark on nuclear [power]," he said.
Under Budget 2025, the government allocated more than RM300 million for the National Energy Transition Facility Fund to help the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) meet its objective of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by as early as 2050.