TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — Hou Yu-ih faced probing questions regarding his nuclear policy during a visit to Taichung on Thursday (Aug. 10).
When questioned about the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s criticism of his approach to nuclear waste disposal, Hou reaffirmed that his stance on nuclear policy remains unwavering: "No safety, no nuclear power."
The Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate unveiled his energy policy a day earlier, outlining four primary objectives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050: environmental sustainability, national security, public health, and a transition to sustainability.
Hou's position on nuclear power has drawn scrutiny and criticism, with DPP presidential hopeful Lai Ching-te asserting that Taiwan does not face a power shortage.
In response, Hou pointed out that the current operating reserve margin is a mere 10.03%, teetering on the edge of a "supply tight" condition below 10%. Moreover, in July, the operating reserve margin was 8.2%.
The operating reserve margin signifies the available generating capacity that Taipower can employ in emergencies to manage surges in demand or power plant breakdowns. A 10% operating reserve margin indicates minimal room for error.
Citing this statistic, Hou emphasized that power outages could occur at any moment if the government does not address the issue promptly.
Given the worries expressed by the general public and the industrial sector in Taiwan about the looming threat of power shortages, this issue remains a critical concern that demands effective solutions from each presidential candidate.