Other prospective nuclear countries
3.3 Other prospective nuclear countries
3.3.1 Algeria
In April 2024 a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Algerian Ministry of Energy and Mines and Rosatom on the use of nuclear applications in health and radiotherapy, reactors used in research, nuclear pharmaceutical preparations, and the formation of scientific and technical frameworks, in addition to the development of nuclear technologies and applications for peaceful purposes.252 Reports at the time did not include details on plans for new nuclear build.
3.3.2 Australia
In 2023, opposition Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton started to advocate for nuclear power, in particular small modular reactors (SMRs), which could be placed at the sites of decommissioned coal-fired power plants.253 The Liberal-National Coalition has proposed that nuclear power, and specifically SMRs, are needed for Australia to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.254,255
Politically, the ruling Labor party has maintained an anti-nuclear stance since the 1970s. Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has dismissed the proposal for nuclear build to be a just a distraction from the need to transition the Australia’s energy sector to renewables.256
There are several legal hurdles impeding the consideration of nuclear power for Australia. New South Wales has a Uranium Mining and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibition) Act 1986, and Victoria has a Nuclear Activities (Prohibitions) Act 1983. Federally, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1988 would need to be amended to remove prohibitions against regulation of nuclear power.257
3.3.3 Jamaica
In 2023 Jamaica prime minister Andrew Holness expressed the intention of government to introduce nuclear energy, specifically SMRs, to the country.258 In 2024 Holness signed a memorandum of understanding with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited aiming to deploy SMRs in Jamaica within two decades.
3.3.4 Jordan
Jordan imports almost 96% of its energy needs from outside the country. To meet the growing energy demand, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and increase the availability water resources availability through desalination, Jordan has been considering nuclear energy since 2007.259 In 2008 the Jordon Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) and the Jordan Nuclear Regulatory Commission (JNRC) were established to facilitate Jordan’s nuclear programme.260
After several years of assessment and engagement with the potential vendors, Jordan signed an intergovernmental agreement with Russia in 2015 regarding a project for two 1000 MWe reactors. Nevertheless, in 2018 Jordan government announced that the project for large-scale reactors was abandoned and would not be considered in the next 10 years, with SMRs being considered instead. JAEC has signed SMR cooperation agreements with various vendors including CNNC, Rolls-Royce, NuScale, X-energy and Rosatom.261
3.3.5 Malaysia
The Malaysian government launched in August 2025 an assessment of the role of nuclear energy in the country’s future energy mix.262 The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation stated that no decision had yet been made on the implementation, type of technology or capacity of reactor to be developed. The feasibility study will focus on regions where renewable energy deployment faces challenges, such as Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah.
3.3.6 Moldova
In July 2023, Nuclearelectrica and Energocom, two state-owned-enterprises from Romania and Moldova respectively, signed a memorandum of understanding on enhancing the cooperation between the two companies on units 3&4 of Nuclearelectrica’s Cernavoda nuclear power plant and explored the possibility of power supply from those units to Moldova.263
3.3.7 Myanmar
Myanmar signed an agreement with Rosatom in February 2023 on working together on the use of nuclear energy. The agreement includes cooperation on the training of a workforce for building and operating a small modular reactor.264
3.3.8 Norway
Norway relies on hydropower for almost 90% of its electricity production, but has recently been considering the use of nuclear power. In April 2025 the government appointed the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, the
Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection to develop a plan for an environmental impact assessment programme for a proposed commercial nuclear power project.
The municipality of Vardø in Finnmark proposed nearby Svartnes as a possible site for a 600 MWe nuclear power plant to Norsk Kjernekraft. This would equate to an annual output of up to 5 TWh – "enough to triple the power supply in Finnmark."
Norsk Kjernekraft has also submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Energy for an assessment into the construction of an SMR based in the municipalities of Aure and Heim in southwestern Norway. In April this year, it initiated work on the impact assessment of a plot of land in Øygarden municipality, west of Bergen, to assess the possibility of establishing a nuclear power plant comprising up to five SMRs.
A Norsk Kjernekraft subsidiary has also submitted a proposal for an assessment programme for an SMR plant in Grenland in southern Norway.265
3.3.9 Peru
In March 2025, the Peruvian congress approved a declaration calling for the introduction of nuclear energy and the installation of small modular reactors to diversify the country's electricity mix.
The decision states: "Small modular reactors must be installed to take advantage of the uranium resources found in the national territory and to promote sustainable energy development in the country."
3.3.10 Rwanda
In October 2020 Rwanda’s government approved the establishment of the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (RAEB), which is intended to coordinate research and development of nuclear energy activities in the country.
In September 2023 the RAEB signed an agreement with Dual Fluid Energy, a Canadian-German nuclear technology company founded in 2021, for the construction of a demonstration Dual Fluid reactor – a liquid fuel, lead-cooled, high-temperature fast reactor.
In 2024 the RAEB signed a memorandum of understanding with NANO Nuclear Energy that could lead to the deployment of SMRs and microreactors.
3.3.11 Singapore
Singapore has committed to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.266 It relies on imported natural gas to fuel 94% of its electricity generation.267 The small, population-dense city-state has limited opportunities for installing renewable energy.
Singapore’s Nationally Determined Contribution submission to the UNFCCC stated that it is building its capabilities in nuclear science and technology to better understand the implications and benefits of advanced nuclear energy technologies for Singapore. Agreements with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and the Ministry of Climate and
Enterprise of Sweden, in October 2024 and November 2024 respectively, aim to facilitate capability building in nuclear technology, as well as having signed a '123 Agreement' with the USA.
In his Budget 2025 speech, Singapore prime minister Lawrence Wong announced that his government will study the potential deployment of nuclear energy.268 In September 2025 Singapore’s Energy Market Authority appointed Mott MacDonald to conduct a study of advanced nuclear energy technologies.269