TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te defended his party's energy policy during the policy presentation on Tuesday (Dec. 26), emphasizing that the "2025 Non-Nuclear Homeland" plan does not entail abrupt termination of existing nuclear power plants.
According to Lai, the plan, initiated by President Tsai Ing-wen, does not intend to shut down operational nuclear power plants suddenly. The Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant's No. 2 Reactor will cease operations by 2025 as required by the law.
Lai commended Tsai's efforts to develop the renewable energy sector and questioned the stances of Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je, asking if they had changed their positions during the election season regarding nuclear power safety and waste storage.
Lai also raised concerns about Ko's and Hou's proposals to revive the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant, highlighting the legal implications of referendums.
Regarding the low-carbon transition, Lai unveiled plans to invest NT＄900 billion by 2030 to encourage corporate investment, aiming for "carbon neutrality by 2050."
He stressed the importance of aligning with international standards, establishing carbon trading systems, promoting green electricity, reducing the carbon footprint of the Taiwan Power Company, and addressing climate change's impact on industrial development.
Lai dismissed worries about future green energy supply sufficiency, citing projections of a surplus in electricity supply compared to demand by 2030, ushering in an era of diverse green energy sources.