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Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Taiwan to pull plug on nuclear power, sparking energy security fears
TAIPEI, May 15 — Taiwan will turn off its last nuclear reactor on Saturday, fuelling concerns over the self-ruled island's reliance on imported energy and vulnerability to a Chinese blockade. The island, which targets net-zero emissions by 2050, depends almost entirely on imported fossil fuel to power its homes, factories and critical semiconductor chip industry. President Lai Ching-te's Democratic Progressive Party has long vowed to phase out nuclear power, while the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party says continued supply is needed for energy security. Ma'anshan Nuclear Power Plant in southern Pingtung county is being closed as China intensifies military activity around Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory and has vowed to bring under its control one day. During large-scale military drills around Taiwan in April, China simulated strikes on key ports and energy sites as well as blockading the island. Ma'anshan has operated for 40 years in a region popular with tourists and which is now dotted with wind turbines and solar panels. More renewable energy is planned at the site, where state-owned Taipower plans to build a solar power station capable of supplying an estimated 15,000 households annually. But while nuclear only accounted for 4.2 per cent of Taiwan's power supply last year, some fear Ma'anshan's closure risks an energy crunch. 'Taiwan is such a small place and currently there's no other better and more efficient natural energy source that can replace nuclear power,' said Ricky Hsiao, 41, who runs a nearby guesthouse. 'The reality is that TSMC and other big companies need a lot of electricity. They would leave Taiwan if it's not stable,' he told AFP, referring to chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. But mother-of-two Carey Chen fears an accident like the 2011 Fukushima nuclear meltdown in Japan, which like Taiwan is prone to earthquakes. 'If we can find other stable power sources, I support a nuclear-free homeland for everyone's safety,' Chen, 40, told AFP. Stable supply At its peak in the 1980s, nuclear power made up more than 50 per cent of Taiwan's energy generation, with three plants operating six reactors across the island. Concerns after the Fukushima disaster saw a new plant mothballed in 2014 before it was even finished. And two plants stopped operating between 2018 and 2023 after their operating permits expired. Most of Taiwan's power is fossil fuel-based, with liquefied natural gas (LNG) accounting for 42.4 per cent and coal 39.3 per cent last year. Renewable energy made up 11.6 per cent, well short of the government's target of 20 per cent by 2025. Solar has faced opposition from communities worried about panels occupying valuable land, while rules requiring locally made parts in wind turbines have slowed their deployment. Lai insists Taiwan's energy supply will be stable even as AI technology boosts demand, with new units in existing LNG and coal-fired plants replacing Ma'anshan's output. The KMT and Taiwan People's Party, which control the parliament, amended a law on Tuesday enabling nuclear plants to extend their operating life by up to 20 years. 'Nuclear power is not the most perfect way to generate electricity,' KMT lawmaker Ko Ju-chun told AFP. 'But it is an option that should not be eliminated when we are developing technology, defence, and strengthening national security.' Chinese threat Taiwan's reliance on imported fossil fuels is of particular concern given the risk of a Chinese blockade. The island has enough LNG and coal reserves to last just 11 and 30 days, respectively, government data show. Taiwan's centralised electricity grid also leaves swaths of the island at risk of major power outages in case of a single fault. Without nuclear, 'our energy security cannot be guaranteed, and national security will be affected', said Yeh Tsung-kuang, an energy expert at Taiwan's National Tsing Hua University. Environmental activists argue renewables are the best way to bolster Taiwan's energy resilience. 'If every community has solar panels on its roofs, the community can be (more) self-sufficient', said Tsui Shu-hsin, secretary-general of Green Citizens' Action Alliance. But others note Taiwan's break-up with nuclear is at odds with global and regional trends. Even Japan aims for nuclear to account for 20-22 per cent of its electricity by 2030, up from well under 10 per cent now. And nuclear power became South Korea's largest source of electricity in 2024, accounting for 31.7 per cent of the country's total power generation, and reaching its highest level in 18 years, according to government data. Yu Shih-ching, chief of Hengchun town where Ma'anshan is located, said the plant had brought jobs and boosted the local economy. 'Our view is that nuclear power is necessary,' he told AFP, calling it 'an important driving force for the national economy' and a 'great help to local areas'. And Lai acknowledged recently he would not rule out a return to nuclear one day. 'Whether or not we will use nuclear power in the future depends on three foundations which include nuclear safety, a solution to nuclear waste, and successful social dialogue,' he said. — AFP
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan tests its new US-made Himars rocket systems for the first time
Taiwan tested its new high-precision Himars rocket systems for the first time on Monday, a major step in its efforts to reinforce its asymmetric defences against the People's Liberation Army. Advertisement A total of 33 rockets were fired from 11 US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (Himars) at Jiupeng military base in the island's southern county of Pingtung, according to Taiwan's Central News Agency. The truck-mounted systems – manufactured by Lockheed Martin – are equipped with six multiple launch rockets that have a maximum range of 70km (43½ miles). Each Himars can also carry a single Army Tactical Missile System with a range of up to 300km. Himars has been used by Ukraine against Russian high-value targets, and would be expected to play a crucial role in a conflict with mainland China, which is about 180km from Taiwan's main island. The Himars systems were delivered last year, several years after they were ordered. Photo: EPA-EFE The Himars test was part of the Taiwanese army's annual precision-strike missile drills, where its domestically developed Thunderbolt-2000 rocket launchers were used to counter mock coastal landing strikes, its defence ministry said. Advertisement Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung attended the exercise, along with representatives of the manufacturer, who were on hand to help with technical issues.
NHK
13-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Taiwan conducts first live-fire test of US-supplied HIMARS rocket system
Taiwan's military has test-fired for the first time a new rocket system supplied by the United States in an apparent attempt to keep China in check. The military conducted the live-fire drill of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, at its base in the southern county of Pingtung on Monday with media present. The military said a total of 33 rockets were fired at targets 12 kilometers away. HIMARS is a rocket launching system installed on a military vehicle. It is said to combine mobility and precision. Taiwan received the first batch of 11 HIMARS last year, and will take delivery of the other 18 systems next year amid increasing military pressure from Beijing. COL. Ho Chih-chung, Deputy Commander, the 58th Artillery Command, told reporters that he believes the test firing of the rocket system demonstrated to the public the military's resolve to protect Taiwan's security and "beautiful homeland."
CNA
12-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Taiwan holds first live-fire of US high-tech rocket systems
TAIWAN: Taiwan conducted on Monday (May 12) its first live-firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) purchased from the United States, as the self-ruled island upgrades its capabilities to repel a potential Chinese attack. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan would be massively outgunned in any war with China and for decades has been buying US military weapons and equipment as a deterrence against Beijing. The first batch of 11 HIMARS were delivered to Taiwan in November. The truck-mounted units can launch multiple precision-guided rockets at the same time, and has been used by Ukraine against Russia in their ongoing conflict. AFP journalists watched on Monday as Taiwan's army launched rockets from the HIMARS at the Jiupeng base in southern Pingtung County. Colonel Ho Chih-chung told reporters that US technical personnel were present during the live-fire and helped to resolve a "signal error" during the first round when the three launchers failed to fire simultaneously. "We believe this exercise provides an opportunity to enhance our troubleshooting capabilities, allowing us to better demonstrate realistic combat readiness in the event of war," Ho said. Washington severed official diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in favour of Beijing, but has remained Taiwan's most important backer and arms supplier. In the past five decades, the United States has sold Taiwan billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16 fighter jets and warships, angering China.
Asharq Al-Awsat
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Taiwan Holds First Live-Fire of US High-Tech Rocket Systems
Taiwan conducted Monday its first live-firing of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) purchased from the United States, as the self-ruled island upgrades its capabilities to repel a potential Chinese attack. China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan would be massively outgunned in any war with China and for decades has been buying US military weapons and equipment as a deterrence against Beijing. The first batch of 11 HIMARS were delivered to Taiwan in November. The truck-mounted units can launch multiple precision-guided rockets at the same time, and has been used by Ukraine against Russia in their ongoing conflict. AFP journalists watched Monday as Taiwan's army launched rockets from the HIMARS at the Jiupeng base in southern Pingtung County. Washington severed official diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 in favor of Beijing, but has remained Taiwan's most important backer and arms supplier. In the past five decades, the United States has sold Taiwan billions of dollars worth of military equipment and ammunition, including F-16 fighter jets and warships, angering China.
