Nuclear power should not be sidelined in the Association if Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) energy transition efforts as the region seeks a stable, affordable and reliable energy supply, Malaysia’s minister Anwar Ibrahim said at a regional energy conference.

Anwar said while Asean countries had increasingly focused on renewable sources such as solar and wind, nuclear energy appeared to have received less attention despite the region having regulatory experience and technical expertise.

He said nuclear power could play a role in supporting the objectives of the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation as countries seek to balance energy security with emissions reduction.