Taiwan’s President Lai Ching‑te said Saturday two nuclear power plants “meet the conditions for reactivation,” as the energy import-dependent island moves to strengthen its domestic power generation capacity.
A Shift in Policy
This announcement marks a potential reversal of Taiwan’s energy policy. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party had previously championed a “nuclear‑free homeland,” a goal fueled by safety concerns following the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan. However, the administration is now considering restarting the Guosheng, likewise known as the second nuclear power plant, and the Ma’anshan, commonly known as the third nuclear power plant.
The decision comes after amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act required the government to consider reactivation of plants that meet certain conditions. According to President Lai, both the Guosheng and Ma’anshan plants have been assessed as fulfilling those conditions by Taiwan Power Company (Taipower).
Future Steps
Taipower is preparing to submit proposals for the restart of both plants to the Nuclear Safety Council by the end of March for review. Deputy economic minister Ho Chin-tsang indicated the Ma’anshan plant could potentially restart as early as 2028. The timeline for the second plant remains unclear.
President Lai also cited the growing energy demands of the international community and the increasing power requirements of artificial intelligence as factors influencing the decision. He assured the public that Taiwan currently maintains sufficient oil and natural gas reserves – more than 100 days of oil and 12 to 14 days of natural gas – to meet immediate needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted this change in policy?
Amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act, combined with concerns about energy security and the demands of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, prompted the government to reconsider its nuclear-free policy.
Which nuclear power plants are being considered for restart?
The Guosheng, or No. 2 nuclear plant, and the Ma’anshan, or No. 3 nuclear plant, are the facilities being evaluated for potential reactivation.
When could these plants potentially be operational again?
Deputy economic minister Ho Chin-tsang suggested the Ma’anshan plant could restart as early as 2028, but no timeline has been provided for the second plant.
What impact will this decision have on Taiwan’s energy future?
