France positions itself as key low-carbon partner in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore. (Photo: Emmanuel Macron's X)
French President Emmanuel Macron recently concluded a multi-country visit to Asia, where energy cooperation—particularly in low-carbon technologies like nuclear—was high on the agenda in meetings with leaders of Vietnam, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), promising continued support for Vietnam and Indonesia in phasing out coal-fired power generation.
Singapore looks to France for civil nuclear guidance
France, a global leader in nuclear energy with over 50 reactors providing 70% of its electricity, is increasingly supplementing its aging fleet with solar and wind to maintain clean energy dominance and grid stability. As Southeast Asian nations accelerate their energy transitions, nuclear power and energy infrastructure are emerging as focal points for collaboration.
In Singapore, discussions centered on the feasibility of civil nuclear energy. Drawing on French expertise, both nations aim to collaborate on key areas such as safety, workforce development, academic research, environmental protection, public health, and emergency preparedness.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong noted that bilateral ties have now been elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), paving the way for deeper cooperation not only in energy but also in decarbonization and digitalization.
French President Emmanuel Macron Macron (left) meets with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (right). (Photo: Lawrence Wong's LinkedIn)
Indonesia strengthens mineral and nuclear ties with France
Indonesia has already designated nuclear power as part of its future energy mix and has identified two potential sites for nuclear plants. During Macron’s visit, he met with Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) Chairman Anindya Bakrie to discuss nuclear technology collaboration, including potential applications of small modular reactors.
A joint statement by President Prabowo Subianto and Macron reaffirmed both nations’ net-zero ambitions and stressed the strategic importance of energy transition. They also welcomed a new memorandum of understanding on critical minerals cooperation, which aims to promote downstream industries and sustainable mining practices. President Prabowo expressed gratitude for France’s JETP support, particularly in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other low-carbon sectors.
France boosts Vietnam’s JETP funding
Macron’s visit to Vietnam secured a €500 million (about USD 571 million) concessional loan as part of the country’s JETP financing package. Additional agreements spanning nuclear energy, Airbus aircraft, vaccines, and satellites brought the total value of signed deals to around €9 billion (about USD 10.2 billion).
Agreements were also reached on cooperation in green hydrogen and hydropower development. The partnerships will include preferential financing and technology transfer to accelerate Vietnam’s low-carbon energy transition with the help of French resources and expertise.
Source: The Straits Times, Reuters(1), (2), Invest Indonesia, VN Economy
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