WSP advances the SMR conversation in Asia

Across Asia, growing electricity demand, decarbonisation ambitions and the need for secure and resilient energy systems are raising important questions about the region’s future energy mix. 

Against this backdrop, WSP brought over 150 clients, industry experts and stakeholders together in Singapore and Taiwan for a forum series themed “Building SMR readiness in Asia: Navigating feasibility, technology, policy and delivery pathways”, exploring the potential role of advanced nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors (SMRs), and what is required to build readiness for emerging energy options.

Designed as smaller, modular units compared with conventional large-scale nuclear plants, SMRs can encompass different reactor technologies and configurations, with components manufactured in factories and assembled on site. Their modular nature enables different approaches to deployment and potential applications.

Anthony Ciccone, WSP’s Global Nuclear Sector Senior Vice President, was featured at both sessions to share WSP’s perspective and expertise. With more than 30 years of experience across energy, environmental and infrastructure projects, Anthony explained that a viable nuclear programme requires interconnected decisions around energy-system objectives, siting, safety, regulation, technology, supply chains, ownership and financing, as well as public confidence. 

Bringing a local perspective to the Taiwan forum, Prof. Tsung-Kuang Yeh, Dean of the College of Nuclear Science and Distinguished Professor at National Tsing Hua University, highlighted growing electricity demand from AI, data centres, semiconductors and electronics. He presented advanced nuclear technologies, including SMRs, as a potential means of expanding carbon-free baseload capacity and strengthening energy security, while stressing that talent development and R&D are immediate priorities if Taiwan is to prepare for these technologies. Prof. Yeh also joined Anthony, Sean Hsu of the Taiwan Nuclear Grade Industry Association and Frank Lin, WSP’s Managing Director, Asian Regions, in the subsequent panel discussion to further explore Taiwan’s energy future.

The discussion is timely for both locations, where the transitions to a future energy landscape are at different stages and will inevitably look different from one market to another. Singapore is building its institutional and regulatory capabilities while assessing advanced nuclear technologies, with no deployment decision yet taken. In Taiwan, the conversation sits within wider questions around energy security, future electricity needs and the transition towards net zero. It is essential to keep options open until there is sufficient evidence to support decisions.

As the energy transition conversation continues in different societies across Asia, WSP remains committed to helping clients understand their options, manage complexity and build the readiness needed to make informed choices for the future. From programme strategy and siting to environmental assessment, regulatory readiness, procurement, commercial models, supply chains and stakeholder engagement, WSP can help connect the decisions that ultimately determine whether an energy programme is viable and deliverable.