MTI Internship: Nuclear Energy Capability Building

New Energies Division (Nuclear) - Nuclear Energy Capability Building

Comparative study on Funding and Financing Approaches for Nuclear Energy Programmes Singapore is studying a range of low-carbon energy options to support long-term decarbonisation, energy security, and economic resilience. As part of this effort, Singapore is building foundational capabilities in nuclear energy, including policy frameworks, regulatory readiness, human capital, international partnerships to study potential nuclear deployment. A critical and often under-examined dimension of nuclear energy is how programmes and facilities are funded and financed. Nuclear energy involves large capital costs, long asset lifetimes, complex risk allocation, and strong public-sector involvement. Countries that have successfully developed nuclear capabilities have done so using a variety of financing approaches—ranging from fully state-funded models to hybrid public-private arrangements and novel risk-sharing mechanisms. This internship project contributes to early-stage policy thinking on how Singapore could potentially structure funding and financing approaches as it builds nuclear-energy capabilities over time. The final deliverable should be a comparative briefing paper/presentation to MTI and EMA’s Senior Management on nuclear funding and financing models, with one or more case studies of selected countries or projects. It should highlight recommendations for Singapore and further lines of inquiry for Singapore policymakers. The intern will gain exposure to: • Energy policy and infrastructure finance at a national-planning level • How governments evaluate long-term, high-capital public investments • Real-world trade-offs between economics, risk, governance, and public interest • Policy analysis in a sensitive, high-stakes domain Apart from the specific research project above, the intern in the New Energies Division (Nuclear) will also be expected to provide support for other events/activities that occur during the internship period, including any engagements with public, industry and/or international stakeholders.

• Keen interest in current affairs, especially in relation to global economic and geopolitical developments • Comfortable dealing with research work and writing • Good communication and stakeholder engagement skills • A self-starter mindset, exemplified by intellectual curiosity, high initiative and resourcefulness in solving new problems • Academic/internship experience in energy-related issues and/or project finance is a plus. No prior nuclear energy background is required.