Senior Research Fellow Denise Cheong and Research Associates Nivedita S and Manisha Regalla participated in a webinar organised by ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) marking the launch of the ASEAN Nuclear Energy Portal. The portal was developed by ACE and the Nuclear Energy Cooperation Sub-Sector Network (NEC-SSN) as part of the implementation of ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) Phase I: 2016 – 2020. The portal, which brings together knowledge and information related to civilian nuclear energy from diverse sources, both general and ASEAN-related. It seeks to facilitate increased understanding of NE and will be integrated with the ASEAN Energy Database System (AEDS) as part of the implementation of APAEC Phase II: 2021 – 2025. As part of the public launch of the portal, there were presentations by the Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), the current Chair of the ASEAN Network of Regulatory Bodies on Atomic Energy (ASEANTOM) as well as officials from ACE providing updates on global and regional developments relevant to nuclear energy.

Highlights included the potential role of nuclear energy in contributing to decarbonisation and sustainable development and the work of ASEANTOM, in particular, its role in supporting the implementation of APAEC Phase II: 2021 – 2025. In line with the goal to improve nuclear energy literacy and public engagement as set out in APAEC Phase II: 2021 – 2025, ACE is undertaking a regional study that seeks to survey the public willingness to accept, and its knowledge of, nuclear power plants. The status and the methodology of this study was shared. Currently, the drafting of the concept note and survey question as well as the dissemination and promotion of the survey has been undertaken. This study complements other efforts including the creation of a civilian nuclear energy factsheet that aim to improve public understanding and perception of nuclear energy.

Opening remarks were given by Assistant Secretary Gerardo D. Erguiza Jr, Department of Energy, The Philippines and Chair of NEC-SSN and Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director, ACE who also moderated the event. The speakers were Dr Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General, WNA; Zubaidah Haji Mahmud, Brunei Darussalam as Chair of ASEANTOM; Beni Suryadi, Power, Fossil Fuels, Alternative Energy, and Energy Storage Department, ACE; Silvira Ayu Rosalia, Energy Statistician and Data Visualisation Officer, ACE; and Alfred Gurning, APAEC Office, ACE.