Kuala Lumpur, September 4, 2025 — Malaysia is intensifying efforts to explore nuclear energy as a clean, reliable addition to its future power mix—underpinned by newfound political support, strategic international partnerships, and a formal feasibility study.
Earlier this year, the government initiated a pre-feasibility study led by MyPOWER Corporation under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), following guidelines from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Preliminary findings highlighted nuclear power’s potential to bolster the nation’s energy security, support carbon reduction goals, and complement intermittent renewables in regions like Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah. Technical task forces across ministries are now preparing legal, industrial, and human-resource capacities for possible future deployment.
In parallel, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof affirmed the government has not made a final decision on nuclear adoption. He emphasized that any decision would occur after 2030, contingent on regulatory readiness, technological assessments, and crucially, public acceptance.
International collaboration is also scaling up. Malaysia signed a civil nuclear cooperation MoU with the U.S. in July, enriching its existing partnerships with Russia, China, and France. These multilateral ties aim to strengthen infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, skills training, and technological transfers.
To oversee oversight and regulatory compliance, agencies like Atom Malaysia (formerly the Atomic Energy Licensing Board) and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency are positioned at the forefront, equipped with decades of experience in nuclear science, licensing, and research.
As Malaysia undertakes this journey, the roadmap will require careful navigation—balancing technical feasibility, environmental safety, and societal trust—in order to meet its broader net-zero ambition by 2050.
