TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's president has signaled a cautious approach to the island's nuclear energy future despite a landmark legislative decision that could extend the lifespan of existing reactors. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) addressed on Wednesday (May 14) the significant amendments to the "Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act" (核管法) passed by Taiwan's parliament, the Legislative Yuan (立法院), which potentially extends nuclear plant operations from 40 to 60 years. Despite this legislative shift, Lai emphasized that the No. 2 reactor at the southern Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (馬鞍山發電廠) would not receive automatic extension when it reaches its scheduled retirement this weekend.
The president confirmed that the Maanshan reactor would cease operations as scheduled on Saturday, a milestone he characterized as advancing Taiwan's long-term policy goal of becoming a "nuclear-free homeland." Lai outlined a deliberative framework for any future nuclear energy decisions, emphasizing that reactor extensions or restarts would require thorough scientific assessment, significant financial investment, and broad public support rather than purely administrative decisions.
While maintaining cautious oversight, Lai characterized his administration's energy policy as pragmatically open to various carbon-neutral approaches, potentially including advanced nuclear technologies if they satisfy three critical conditions: operational safety, waste management solutions, and public acceptance. The president contextualized Taiwan's energy decisions within broader challenges facing the island democracy, including climate imperatives, shifting international relations, and economic transformation pressures. He acknowledged the contributions of opposition parties and civic organizations in Taiwan's ongoing transition away from conventional nuclear power.
Speaking as the leader of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), which has historically championed nuclear phase-out policies, Lai promised continued evidence-based regulation of nuclear facilities under his administration. He identified two particular challenges requiring pragmatic solutions: the politically sensitive process of selecting permanent nuclear waste storage locations and the need to resolve energy policy disagreements through Taiwan's democratic institutions rather than through confrontation, emphasizing consensus-building as the path forward. ◼