TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — The mayor of Taiwan's second-largest city issued a stark warning Wednesday (June 11) about the island's energy security, throwing her support behind a contentious referendum that would extend the life of the aging Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (核三廠). Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) of Taichung, an industrial powerhouse in central Taiwan, cautioned against what she described as dangerous overreliance on limited energy sources and called for a more diversified approach to the island's power generation strategy.
The conservative mayor cited findings from a recent American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham Taiwan) report that warned of potential foreign investment flight due to the island's increasingly unstable and insufficient power supply. Lu expressed particular concern that her city's robust economic expansion has paradoxically triggered criticism of Taichung's high electricity consumption, potentially alarming prospective investors considering central Taiwan locations. Using colorful language that resonated with local business leaders, Lu advocated for what she termed a "cocktail-style" energy portfolio that would incorporate multiple generation methods rather than overreliance on any single source.
To underscore her argument, Lu revealed that thermal power plants — primarily coal and natural gas facilities — had recently supplied a staggering 95% of Taiwan's total electricity generation during a single evening. This dangerous concentration, she suggested, illustrated the vulnerability in Taiwan's current energy strategy. The mayor contended that further reducing nuclear power, as advocated by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party administration, would further destabilize Taiwan's precarious energy equilibrium. The proposed referendum, according to Lu, would preserve critical options for the island nation as it navigates complex energy security challenges amid growing electricity demands.
In a direct appeal to constituents concerned about rising energy costs, Lu sought to dispel what she characterized as misconceptions about Taiwan's energy economics. Citizens should not feel beholden to Taiwan Power Company (Taipower, 台電), the state-owned utility that monopolizes the island's electricity market, she insisted, noting that consumer electricity bills and general tax revenues already subsidize the company's operational deficits. The mayor concluded her remarks by framing her position as a matter of public health stewardship, emphasizing her fundamental responsibility to safeguard the well-being of approximately 7 million residents across Taiwan's central region. ◼