In order to reduce their reliance on fast-depleting conventional sources of energy, the ASEAN countries have begun to explore the possibility of developing alternative energy sources such as nuclear energy. Such a move has gained momentum in the last few years as some of the member countries have turned energy importers from being energy exporters. Indonesia, which became a net energy importing country in 2004, represents the best example. The endeavour received fresh attention when the Cebu Declaration of the East Asia Summit in February 2007 called for greater East Asian cooperation in nuclear power generation. Various ASEAN member countries have taken initiatives in this direction.

The Philippines which had abandoned its nuclear programme during the late 1970s has once again begun to seek nuclear power infrastructure given its limited hydroelectric and oil resources. Singapore has also laid out plans for nuclear power generation. Given its limited space, the country is studying the advantages and disadvantages of three different programmes - a floating station, a joint venture with Malaysia or a nuclear power plant on an island to be taken on lease from Indonesia.

Meanwhile, considering its shortage of conventional energy resources Indonesia too has begun to reconsider its nuclear energy generation programme. It had almost shelved such a programme in 1997 before reviving it in 2001. Indonesia possesses three research reactors, under the National Atomic Energy Agency (BATAM). As per its power generation strategy, released in 2001, Indonesia expects to establish a nuclear power plant by 2016. The IAEA has reportedly supported Indonesia's nuclear power programme, even though it is still at the demonstration level.

Among the Indochina countries, only Vietnam is keen on developing nuclear power `which it aims to achieve by 2015, when it will face increased demand for energy. The National Assembly has already approved a national energy plan which envisages a 2000MWe nuclear power plant, the work on which would commence by 2010. South Korea has expressed its interest in developing the power plant and signed a deal with the Vietnamese government in November 2006 for long-term cooperation in nuclear energy.

Thailand's nuclear power programme is at the level of feasibility studies, which are being conducted under the auspices of its National Energy Policy Council. While Thailand has decided to develop nuclear energy, the current ongoing instability and confusion in the post-coup scenario seem to have stalled the process. The country's Draft Power Development Plan (2007-2021), envisages the operationalization of a nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 5000MWe. Similarly, Malaysia also wants to develop nuclear energy by 2020 by developing two nuclear reactors and a comprehensive feasibility study is expected to be completed in 2010.

Myanmar has also expressed its ambition to possess a nuclear power plant. It had begun exploring the possibility of generating nuclear energy as early as 2000 when a key minister of the junta cabinet visited Moscow and had a meeting with the Russian Minister of Atomic Energy. Subsequently, a Department of Atomic Energy was formed, which has approached the IAEA for assistance in developing its nuclear programme. Russia has reportedly agreed to assist Myanmar in designing and building a nuclear studies centre which would oversee a 10MW light water reactor and facilities for processing and storing nuclear waste.

These pronouncements and policy decisions of ASEAN nations bring to the fore also, dangers associated with the production of nuclear energy. The first and foremost challenge is the possibility of further nuclear proliferation, particularly from a country like Myanmar. Its revived nexus with North Korea makes such a possibility not unlikely. A nuclear installation would be an easy target for terrorists in Southeast Asia where groups such as Jemaah Islamiyah or Abu Sayyaf remain active. The danger is potentially even more serious for a small island country like Singapore, which is already concerned about threats of a terrorist attack on its maritime installations.

While nuclear energy is emerging as the most viable source of energy, being both clean and cheap, such an option also carries the possibility of a Chernobyl-type nuclear disaster in case sufficient safeguard measures are not ensured. One of the reasons for Indonesia's initial abandonment of its nuclear power programme in 1997 was the geological volatility of Indonesian islands and the possible consequence of a nature-induced nuclear disaster.

Last, but not least, is the challenge of waste disposal. Will the ASEAN countries be ready to spend huge sums of money on developing waste-management facilities? Or will they find another country such as the US, to take on the responsibility of dealing with their nuclear waste?

Whatever be the ultimate choice in Southeast Asia, there is no doubt that there is potential for collaboration with India, with its proximity to the region and its advanced civil nuclear capability.. Should New Delhi be able to move out of its isolationist mindset and through the US-India nuclear energy deal, emerge in the global scene as an accepted country with advanced nuclear technology, the economic advantages to its nuclear power industry too, will be enormous.