Is nuclear energy making a comeback—and could it power Southeast Asia’s sustainable future?

In this episode of Green Shift, we dive into one of the most important (and controversial) topics in the global energy transition: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). As energy demand surges—driven by AI, data centers, and economic growth—the region faces a critical question:

👉 Can nuclear be the key to a reliable, low-carbon future?

In this sustainability conversation, we cover:

Why the AI boom is breaking traditional energy models.

The difference between conventional nuclear and "Lego-like" SMR modularity.

Financing the future: Why governments need to move fast on policy.

Public perception: Moving from "Not In My Backyard" to "Why Not?"

Geopolitics: The risks of locking into specific vendors and fuel supplies.

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🎙️ Featuring:

Dr. Victor Nian (CSER)

Graham Beal (Corporate Finance, Infrastructure)

Sanjeev Gupta (Energy Strategy & Transactions)

Hosted by David Austin

📌 Timestamps:

0:00 - Panic mode: Why reliance on fossil fuels is failing

2:30 - Introducing the experts: Finance, strategy, and energy research

6:00 - What is an SMR? Victor explains modular nuclear tech

13:00 - Who is building SMRs? The global race (US, China, Europe)

19:00 - The economics: SMR vs. LNG vs. Biofuels ($/MWh breakdown)

25:00 - The "lock-in" effect: Choosing a vendor means choosing a country

31:00 - Financing SMRs: Why the "First of a Kind" needs government help

36:00 - Singapore’s luxury problem: Money vs. Space

41:00 - Public perception: Explaining that a reactor is not a bomb

46:00 - Space data centers? Elon Musk, nuclear batteries, and the future

50:00 - The fuel crunch: Will we run out of uranium?

58:00 - The Verdict: Time is running out for a 2050 deadline

🎙️ About Green Shift:

We are a sustainability podcast focused on real-world solutions and the transition to sustainability. Unlike other shows, we bring together finance, technical, and regional experts to discuss what actually works.

Connect with us:

Subscribe on Substack; https://substack.com/@greenshift

💬 Comment below: Is nuclear the answer to AI’s energy crisis?

#sustainabilitypodcast #energytransition #SMR #nuclearenergy #greenshift #sustainablepodcast #southeastasia #AIenergy #decarbonization

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