Energy security is one of the biggest challenges confronting the countries in Southeast Asia as they continue to depend on energy imports to meet most of their energy needs. To address their energy security challenges, they are showing an interest in nuclear development. In terms of nuclear plans and nuclear development, Vietnam and Indonesia are at the forefront.

Indonesia is targeting 4 nuclear power plants by 2025, with 4-5 GW in total, which will contribute 2% of its energy mix. BATAN operates 3 research reactors, and another 10 MWe experimental nuclear power plant is planned to be built at Serpong, near Jakarta. The Vietnamese government announced in February 2006 that a 2,000 MW nuclear power plant will be on line by 2020. It has also proposed to build an additional 14 reactors by 2030. Vietnam announced further delay of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, giving construction start about 2019. Malaysia plans to build 2 NPPs with 2 GW in total and the first NPP in operation is anticipated by 2021. While currently this country still stays at the feasibility stage. Thailand delayed its decision on the introduction of nuclear power for 6 year. According to the new policy, 2GW nuclear energy will be on line by 2026, and 4 GW in total by 2027. The fate of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) causes heated discussion within Philippines- whether it will be mothballed, activated or scrapped totally is still a question of to be or not to be. While it’s reported that the government is proposing 2 further 1000 MWe Korean Standard Nuclear Plant units.