IAEA chief: Malaysia on solid footing to pursue nuclear power

VIENNA, June 14 — Malaysia is well-positioned to pursue a nuclear power programme, having built a long-standing tradition and expertise in nuclear technology, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

He said Malaysia’s experience in operating research reactor has provided the country with a strong foundation to advance its nuclear energy ambition as part of its future power mix.

“We have been working with your country, and there is a strong interest that has been manifested to us by the government to explore more systematically the possibility of acceding to nuclear energy,” he said at a media conference with journalists participating in the IAEA Journalists Seminar held here.

Grossi said having a research reactor was “certainly a very good, solid basis” for Malaysia, as it also meant the country already had people familiar with nuclear technology and reactor operations.

“There are many people in Malaysia who know nuclear technology and know what a nuclear reactor is,” he added.

Malaysia operates the TRIGA PUSPATI Reactor, the country’s only nuclear research reactor, which began operations in 1982 and reached first criticality on June 28 of the same year.

Located at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuklear Malaysia) in Bangi, Selangor, the reactor has been used for training, research, isotope production and other scientific applications. 

Malaysia has been actively exploring the potential of developing nuclear power as part of strategy to diversify its energy mix, secure clean and reliable electricity supply, and strengthen national energy security agenda.

The ambition was also outlined under the 13th Malaysia Plan (2026-2030), which identifies nuclear energy as a viable source of clean electricity in the national energy mix, with implementation targeted to begin from 2031.

The move comes amid growing electricity demand, the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and Malaysia’s commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as well as concerns over the current global energy crisis caused by the West Asian conflict. 

According to IAEA, as of January 2026, about 70 newcomer countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, are either pursuing or exploring nuclear energy as part of their national development agenda. 

Malaysia is among 28 countries currently in the decision-making phase, where governments are assessing the feasibility of embarking on nuclear power programmes.

Grossi said the IAEA provides assistance to countries embarking on nuclear power programmes, including helping them develop the necessary capacity and establish national nuclear regulatory bodies. 

He highlighted the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, established since 2007, which enables countries to develop their nuclear programmes in an orderly and systematic manner by drawing on more than 70 years of global experience in commercial nuclear power operations.

The three-phase framework guides newly embarking countries in developing the legal, regulatory and institutional infrastructure necessary for the safe, secure and sustainable deployment of nuclear power in line with IAEA standards.

Grossi added that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach for countries pursuing nuclear energy, with the IAEA providing independent and impartial advice according to each country’s characteristics and needs. 

This includes assisting governments in evaluating reactor technologies and vendor proposals to ensure the selected technology are compatible with national grid capacity, supply chain capabilities and long-term development objectives.

“Nuclear is a marriage for life. Nuclear power plants operate for close to one hundred years. So it means that there will be several generations that will be benefiting from it, working around it and so on and so forth.

“So it’s a very consequential decision,” he said, describing that making the decision to adopt nuclear energy as a long-term national commitment with  lasting strategic significance. — Bernama