TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A prominent Taiwanese business leader has hailed the island's pivot toward extended nuclear power as a historic shift in energy policy. Pegatron (和碩) Chairman TT.H. Tung (童子賢) on Wednesday (May 14) praised the legislative amendment that allows nuclear plants to operate for up to 60 years, calling it a watershed moment for Taiwan's energy security amid growing regional competition and environmental concerns.
The tech executive pointed to shifting public sentiment regarding nuclear power, citing both the 2019 referendum and the current amendment as evidence that Taiwanese citizens have reconsidered the government's previous "nuclear-free homeland" initiative. Tung highlighted several factors driving this policy reversal, including escalating electricity costs, deteriorating air quality across the island, and Taiwan's carbon-intensive energy mix — all of which have undermined popular support for renewable energy transitions.
Taiwan's nuclear policy reversal mirrors similar shifts across developed economies, according to Tung. He referenced Finland's recent recommitment to nuclear power with the activation of its Olkiluoto 3 facility, alongside Switzerland and Sweden's abandonment of their previous anti-nuclear stances. The businessman drew particular attention to Switzerland — a country with comparable geographic constraints to Taiwan but only 14% more land area — which has maintained nuclear generation for more than 40% of its electricity requirements.
Regional energy policies further contextualize Taiwan's nuclear pivot. Japan, despite experiencing the traumatic Fukushima disaster, has embraced nuclear power as an essential component of its energy security strategy. Meanwhile, neighboring Singapore — where natural gas generates 92.6% of electricity — struggles with prohibitive energy costs that threaten its ambitions in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence. The city-state is now considering nuclear options despite its space limitations and historical reluctance.
The Pegatron chairman concluded his remarks by framing nuclear policy within Taiwan's broader strategic challenges. Tung called for pragmatic energy solutions that acknowledge the compounding pressures of recent global pandemics, international conflicts, and escalating geopolitical tensions — all factors that have created unprecedented strain on Taiwan's economic development and energy security planning. ◼