Singapore and Japan formalized a Memorandum of Cooperation to strengthen critical mineral supply chains and collaborate on low-carbon nuclear energy technologies, aiming to bolster energy security and support clean energy development across the Asia-Pacific.

The framework envisions broader energy cooperation, including LNG and coal supply chains, and accelerating energy-transition projects under the Asia Zero Emission Community framework.

The pact was signed on March 15, 2026, by Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology, Tan See Leng, and Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ryosei Akazawa.

Amid ongoing supply security, Tan cautioned about rising global energy prices and urged energy conservation and more efficient appliances to mitigate costs.

The framework aims to accelerate progress toward net-zero goals and cut emissions in hard-to-abate sectors as well as the power sector.

Tan outlined Singapore’s four-line defense for energy security: direct gas piping, diversified imports from Australia and the United States, maintained fuel stockpiles, and switchable power plants.

Regionally, Singapore is pushing the ASEAN Power Grid to enable cross-border electricity trading and boost resilience across Southeast Asia.

Singapore plans to diversify gas supply with a second LNG terminal and GasCo, while expanding solar capacity to 3 GWp by 2030 and maintaining natural gas as a backbone.

Manpower Minister Tan reassured residents that energy supply remains secure despite disruptions from the Middle East conflict.

Officials highlighted ongoing nuclear industry collaboration, focusing on small modular reactors and regional energy security.

The collaboration seeks to mobilize industry players and financiers to invest in low-carbon energy projects and co-develop supply chains for low-carbon pathways, strengthening resilience.

The pact covers civil nuclear energy, low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, carbon capture, utilization and storage, LNG, advanced grid enablers, offshore wind, and cross-border electricity imports.