Taiwan's premier Cho Jung-tai reveals in interview with Bloomber that nuclear energy is an option. (Photo: Executive Yuan)
The government of Taiwan is attracting international attention regarding its stance on nuclear energy. In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai indicated that Taiwan is "very open" to new nuclear technologies in light of the increasing electricity demand from the semiconductor industry driven by artificial intelligence (AI). This statement is seen as a strong indication that Lai Ching-te's administration may be reconsidering its position on nuclear energy.
Cho suggests a willingness to gauge public opinion on nuclear energy
He stated that as long as there is consensus on nuclear safety and proper handling of nuclear waste, there could be open discussions about its use. Despite the fact that Taiwan's last nuclear power plant is set to be decommissioned next year, he emphasized that he has asked the state-backed power provider to make sure that personnel stay in their jobs in anticipation of potential legal changes and to prepare for future nuclear technologies.
Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, public support for nuclear energy in Taiwan plummeted. Bloomberg notes that Cho's comments may highlight a shift by a government that has opposed using nuclear, especially as companies like TSMC face increasing electricity demands amidst the AI boom. Taiwan has already raised electricity prices twice this year, with industrial rates increasing by 12.5% since January.
According to the Energy Bureau, Taiwan's electricity demand for AI technology is projected to grow from 240,000 kilowatts in 2023 to 2.24 million kilowatts by 2028, an eightfold increase. This surge in demand is expected to push total electricity consumption in Taiwan beyond 300 billion kilowatt-hours by 2027 and reach 334.3 billion kilowatt-hours by 2030, representing a growth of 12-13% compared to 2023.
The No. 1 reactor at the Third Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung, Taiwan's only remaining active nuclear facility, ceased operations as scheduled in July. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
More countries, companies support for nuclear energy
The report also highlights the risks posed by recent military exercises by China simulating a blockade of Taiwan, prompting the Lai administration to consider potential energy supply disruptions. As the United States and Japan compete for TSMC to establish factories overseas, Cho views this as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships among democratic nations, enhancing ties through commercial cooperation and countering China.
This is not the first time Lai's administration has hinted at a possible embrace of nuclear energy. During the inaugural meeting of the National Climate Change Committee, Lai noted that energy issues should not be framed as a binary choice between pro- and anti-nuclear, but rather as a multi-faceted selection of options, leaving the door open for all paths to achieve net-zero emissions.
In addition to Taiwan, other ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines are also exploring the possibility of adopting nuclear energy to achieve net-zero targets. On the corporate front, tech giants like Google may join Amazon and Microsoft in utilizing nuclear power to reduce carbon emissions and achieve a reliable supply of carbon-free energy.
Source: Bloomberg、Channel News Asia
