Taiwan open to nuclear power, wants to reactivate two plants by 2029
President Lai Ching-te announced plans to restart the Guosheng and Ma-anshan nuclear plants due to growing energy demand and the war in the Middle East, marking a turning point after the country's nuclear phase-out. Last year, a referendum had already called for the restart of one plant but failed because it fell short of the threshold of eligible voters.
Taipei (AsiaNews) – Taiwan wants to return to nuclear power. President Lai Ching-te announced yesterday that plans for the restart of two plants will be submitted to the Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC) by the end of the month, one in Guosheng, Wanli District (New Taipei), and the other in Ma-anshan, Pingtung County.
This decision marks a reversal of the government's previous policy of moving away from nuclear energy. In fact, on 17 May last year, Taiwan shut down its last reactor, becoming the first non-nuclear country in East Asia, fulfilling the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) commitment to a “nuclear-free homeland”.
In 2024, the island got 42 per cent of its energy from gas and 39 per cent from coal.
According to Lai, even without nuclear power, the island can guarantee a stable electricity supply until 2032, with daily reserve margins consistently above 10 per cent.
However, sustained economic growth, international demand for low-carbon energy, and the need to develop artificial intelligence (energy consumption is growing in the chip manufacturing sector, in which the island is a world leader), and not least the war in the Middle East, have forced the government to reconsider its position.
During a meeting at the Entrepreneurs Club in Taichung, Lai spoke about the amendments approved last year by the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's parliament, specifically the law regulating nuclear power plants, which allows for the resumption of operations even after decommissioning.
Taipower, the state-owned electricity company, has already conducted preliminary assessments, identifying the Guosheng and Ma-anshan power plants as technically suitable for possible reactivation.
International companies such as GE Aerospace and Westinghouse Electric will support the process, working with Taipower on the safety checks necessary to authorise the restart.
Lai reiterated that the NSC’s decision will be based on three fundamental criteria: plant safety, waste management, and public consensus.
Last year, a referendum to reactivate the Ma-anshan power plant was approved by a majority of votes, but could not be implemented because it fell below the threshold of eligible voters.
At the same time, the long-term management of nuclear waste remains unresolved, along with the risks associated with the island's high seismic activity.
According to local sources, Taipower plans to present its proposal for the Ma-anshan plant as early as Friday. Although preparatory work is underway, reactivation can only take place after official approval.
The duration of the operation will depend on the results of safety inspections: initially, a batch of new fuel rods containing enough uranium for at least a year and a half of operation will be ordered.
As for Guosheng, the timetable appears slower: removal of spent fuel rods from the reactor is expected to begin by the end of the year, and restarting could take place no earlier than 2029.
For his part, President Lai stressed that Taiwan has to prepare for potential energy crises, especially in light of the conflict in the Middle East, which is causing great uncertainty in Asian markets.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s current oil reserves should cover energy needs for the next 100 days, "so there is no problem,” Lai said. However, natural gas stocks, by contrast, will only last 12 to 14 days.
Still, oil and gas supplies for next month are guaranteed, the president noted, adding that new supplies from the United States are expected in June.
Photo by Daniel Honies on Unsplash
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