Taiwan’s growing energy demands cast doubt on nuclear disengagement

The Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan projects a 12 to 13 percent increase in electricity demand by the year 2030. This anticipated rise is primarily attributed to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and the expansion of the semiconductor sector. The nation’s escalating energy requirements have intensified discussions surrounding nuclear energy, particularly as the final reactor is scheduled for decommissioning. Proponents of nuclear power contend that it represents the sole energy source capable of supporting Taiwan’s industrial and environmental objectives. The achievement of net-zero emissions by 2050 is predicated on elevating renewable energy production to approximately 60 to 70 percent of the total energy mix, a substantial increase from the current level of 12 percent. Although a recent legislative amendment permits nuclear power facilities to seek operational license extensions beyond the existing 40-year limit, the No. 2 reactor at the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant will imminently cease operations. Premier Cho Jung-tai has indicated a willingness to consider nuclear energy in Taiwan, contingent upon assured safety protocols and the establishment of a public consensus regarding its utilization. Nevertheless, reestablishing a domestic nuclear energy industry is expected to be a protracted process, requiring several years. According to industry experts, the previous anti-nuclear policy, which was justified by the consequences of the Fukushima nuclear accident, is not aligned with the current technological evidence that renewable energy is unstable and, therefore, unsuitable for meeting the country’s energy needs in the coming years.