KUALA LUMPUR (July 31): Nuclear energy is officially back on the cards for Malaysia, with the government aiming to make it part of the country’s energy generation mix by 2031.

The nuclear energy development programme will be implemented with MyPower Corp to oversee its governance in line with provisions of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the government said in the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) tabled on Thursday.

“The nuclear energy development programme for electricity generation as a clean energy source in the national energy mix will be implemented and is expected to begin operations in 2031,” it said.

MyPower Corp will coordinate the implementation of communication, education and public awareness programmes, investment in new infrastructure, strengthening research and development and expertise training, as well as international cooperation on nuclear energy.

MyPower Corp is a special-purpose agency that coordinates national electricity supply reforms under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. 

Malaysia had planned to use nuclear power for energy but dropped the idea in 2018 under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad due to concerns about radioactive waste.

Now, the idea is gaining interest again as the country aims for ambitious clean energy goals.

The National Energy Transition Roadmap targets net-zero emissions by 2050, renewable energy making up 70% of generation mix, and a complete phase-out of coal-generated electricity by 2044.

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