Singapore, Ethiopia and Australia show three different first steps toward nuclear power
Serguey Asael Shinder2 min readThree items from World Nuclear News in the same week describe countries at the very start of nuclear power, each stuck at a different first gate.
Singapore is building people before plants (https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/singapore-looks-to-develop-nuclear-energy-workforce). Its energy ministry and Energy Market Authority launched three schemes: a manpower programme placing public officials with nuclear companies from 2027, with first partnership agreements signed with AtkinsRéalis, China National Nuclear Corporation Overseas and X-energy; funded training for selected companies; and a fellowship for international energy advisers. The goal is to prepare for an IAEA Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review mission next year, and a consultant panel will cover the 19 areas of the IAEA Milestones Approach.
Ethiopia has picked places (https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/nuclear-is-ethiopias-next-chapter-pm-says). Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali said the country plans two 1,200 MWe reactors, at least ten years away, and that three candidate sites have been identified from more than 30 assessed, to be confirmed by external institutions before any technology agreement. Ethiopia has worked with Russia since a 2019 intergovernmental agreement, and Russia's ambassador says a draft agreement on building a plant is being coordinated.
Australia has not yet cleared the law (https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/cross-party-interest-in-australian-nuclear-future-poll-suggests). A YouGov poll of 1,550 people for the advocacy group Nuclear for Australia found 63% think nuclear should be considered and 56% support removing legislative restrictions; nuclear power is currently barred under federal law, including the EPBC Act 1999 and the ARPANS Act 1998.
What it means
Among the 19 areas of the IAEA's milestones approach are exactly these questions — people, sites and a legal framework — and each country is working on a different one. Singapore's is the most concrete and the least committal: it is building the capacity to decide, not deciding. The Australian figures come from a poll commissioned by an advocacy group, and Ethiopia's timeline is the prime minister's own estimate.