Nuclear power is getting a second look across Southeast Asia to prepare for surging demand for power for artificial intelligence-focused data centers.
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FILE -US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, takes part in a memorandum of understanding signing with Malaysia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamad Hasan during the 58th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers' meeting and related meetings at the Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur, July 10, 2025. FILE -A data center building is seen under construction in Sedenak Tech Park in Johor state of Malaysia, Sept. 27, 2024. FILE -Protesters hold a sign during a rally against the restart of the No. 6 reactor at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, in front of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings headquarters in Tokyo, Jan. 19, 2026. FILE -Construction workers walk to a data center building under construction in Sedenak Tech Park in Johor state of Malaysia, Sept. 27, 2024. – Nuclear power is getting a second look in Southeast Asia as countries prepare to meet surging energy demand as they vie for artificial intelligence-focused Several Southeast Asian nations are reviving mothballed nuclear plans and setting ambitious targets and nearly half of the region could, if they pursue those goals, have nuclear energy in the 2030s. Even countries without current plans have signaled their interest.has raised the motivation for countries to speed up their nuclear efforts, said Alvie Asuncion-Astronomo of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.as the region's energy security concerns worsened. In South Asia, Bangladesh is racing to power up its new nuclear power plant, also backed by Russia, to address the country's energy shortfalls. Southeast Asia will account for a quarter of growth in global energy demand by 2035, according to the International Energy Agency, or IEA. That partly is because of the more than 2,000 data centers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines, according to the think tank Ember.That's most obvious in Malaysia, which aspires to be Southeast Asia’s AI computing hub and has drawn investments and interest from tech giants likeNearly 40 nations — including the United States, Japan, South Korea and China — have joined a global push to triple installed nuclear energy capacity by 2050. Southeast Asia will account for nearly a fourth of the 157 gigawatts expected from “newcomer nuclear nations" by mid-century, according to the industry-backed World Nuclear Association. “There is a more serious, new and growing momentum for the development of nuclear energy in Southeast Asia,” said King Lee, with the association.. These are “nationally significant, strategic projects," according to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Vietnam's revised atomic energy law took effect in January. Indonesia added nuclear to its new energy plan last year, aiming to build two small modular reactors by 2034. Officials there say Canada and Russia have issued formal cooperation proposals and others will soon follow. Thailand set a target last year of adding 600 megawatts of nuclear generating capacity by 2037. Nuclear is a “promising solution” to supplying enough affordable, clean electricity to meet rising demand, officials with Thailand's Electricity Generating Authority told a conference in Bangkok. No Southeast Asian nation has engaged with atomic energy more than the Philippines, which built a nuclear power plant in the 1970s that it never turned on. A new atomic energy regulatory authority launched last year will “usher in the integration of nuclear power," according to Philippine officials. The country set a 2032 target and approved a roadmap for potential investors in February. “We are not anticipating that nuclear electricity will be cheap at the onset," said Asuncion-Astronomo. But in the long term, she said it will improve the Philippines' energy reliability, security, independence and eventually costs. “The ongoing conflict in the Middle East definitely demonstrates how volatile fossil fuel costs are and the instability of the supply,” she said. “Nuclear is an alternative solution that can give us more self-reliance in terms of energy.”Cambodia’s latest national strategy signaled an openness to nuclear and Singapore outlined plans last year to study its own atomic potential.The AI-focused data centers contributing to Southeast Asia’s growing energy demand are large windowless buildings filled with rows of computers.Malaysia has more than 500 operational data centers. Another 300 or so are under construction and around 1,140 are planned, according to Ember. Malaysia revived its nuclear program last year and set a 2031 target for bringing atomic energy online. “A lot more industries are expanding in Malaysia,” said Zayana Zaikariah, with the Kuala Lumpur-based Institute of Strategic & International Studies, listing growing interest in data centers, semiconductors and mining. “Everything requires energy.”signed an agreement with Malaysia last year. He called it “a signal to the world of how civil nuclear cooperation is something that is available." President Donald Trump also sees nuclear as a way to meet “There’s more incentive to follow through compared to previous flirtations with nuclear energy,” said Amalina Anuar, with the ISEAS-Yusof Institute, a Singapore-based think tank. The fact that Malaysia’s oil and gas reserves are finite is driving a search for new energy sources. Fossil fuels generate 81% of Malaysia’s electricity, Ember found, while solar and wind provide just 2%. “Malaysia’s decarbonization is both urgent and critical as rising demand from AI and data centers is anticipated,” said Dinita Setyawati with Ember. “But the nuclear option should be approached cautiously.”Global nuclear capacity will more than triple — to about 1,446 gigawatts — by 2050 if existing reactors continue operations and governments meet their stated targets, according to the World Nuclear Association. More than 400 nuclear reactors, in about 30 countries, generate around 380 gigawatts of energy, according to the IAEA's Power Reactor Information System. This is makes up between 4.5% to 10% of the world's energy, the IEA and nuclear association estimate.The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’sCopyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Developers break ground on affordable housing project in St. AugustineEnd the month off right with this lineup of events from March 26-29Pearl Street Square to bring apartments, restaurants, beer gardens & jobs to Downtown JacksonvilleBurden of failing roof lifted for Jacksonville veteran through volunteer projectAccused shooter in death of 2-year-old boy denied bondGardening in a new light. Some recommended updates for healthier seedlings.Powerful winds, worsening drought threaten Jacksonville areaJSO arrests 21-year-old man accused of fatally shooting 2-year-oldFormer JEA chief of staff tells City Council committee employees are ‘scared for their job’Help spread the word about AI scams targeting service membersMechanical issue causes JTA bus to catch fire on Arlington ExpresswayRoad-rage shootout leaves 1 dead, police searching for 2nd driver
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