Taiwan opens door to restart atomic power plants in reversal

Japan Times

14-05-2025

Taiwanese lawmakers revised a nuclear power bill that effectively opens the door for a restart of the island's atomic plants, underscoring a wider policy shift as its energy demand grows and geopolitical tensions worsen.
Under the amended law, nuclear plants that could previously only operate for 40 years will be allowed to renew or extend their licenses for up to 20 years at a time, according to Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu. The revision also allows operators to apply for license renewal before or after it expires.
Energy security is a critical issue for Taiwan, which has sought to phase out its nuclear industry but has also been forced to contend with the needs of a vital chipmaking industry and an uncomfortable reliance on imported fossil fuel. Concerns have increased as Beijing exerts more pressure and the technology industry's power demands soar.
The bill comes just days before Taiwan's last operating reactor is set to go offline. The May 17 closure will not be averted, but Tuesday's vote hints at a reversal that could bring the territory into line with a global trend of renewed interest in nuclear energy, seen as an effective, low-carbon solution for the world's needs.
Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai told a locally-produced podcast that his cabinet would not oppose bringing back decommissioned reactors if the legal amendment is approved. But he added it would take 3.5 years to review safety before a restart, citing state-owned Taipower's estimate.
The government does not have immediate plans to evaluate any nuclear plant extensions or restarts, according to a statement by the Cabinet on Tuesday after the passage of the bill. That's because detailed regulations have not been formulated yet, it said.
Using nuclear power could slash Taiwan's reliance on imported liquefied natural gas — which arrives by sea and would be vulnerable in the event of any sharp rise in tensions with Beijing, particularly a naval blockade. It would also ease fears about energy security in the coming years as power consumption is set to grow by about 13% by end-decade, thanks to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence.