TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwanese voters cast ballots Saturday (Aug. 23) in a pivotal referendum that could determine the fate of the island's third nuclear power plant, shuttered just three months earlier. The vote reflects Taiwan's deepening struggle between urgent energy security imperatives and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP, 民進黨) ambitious vision of a nuclear-free homeland. Questions surrounding the energy transition's effectiveness, resilience, and cost-efficiency have intensified as the island charts its uncertain energy future.
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) of the DPP cast his ballot at a downtown Taipei polling station earlier that day, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining order during the nationwide vote. "Keeping order for this nationwide voting has been a big job, but we did it," Cho told reporters after completing his civic duty. The premier's presence underscored the referendum's significance for Taiwan's governing party, which has championed nuclear phase-out policies.
The referendum poses a direct question to voters: "Do you agree that the Third Nuclear Power Plant (核三廠) should continue operating once the competent authority has confirmed that there are no safety concerns?" The Third Nuclear Power Plant, also called Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (馬鞍山核電廠) in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan, ceased operations in mid-May. This shutdown marked a historic milestone as Taiwan entered an era without any active nuclear power facilities for the first time in decades.
Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) urged high voter turnout as polls remained open until 4 p.m. "Please remember to go out and vote. Please vote before 4 p.m. today," Huang said, highlighting the urgency of citizen participation in this critical decision. Notably, Huang supports extending the plant's service despite once backing the DPP's nuclear-free homeland policy, alongside Pegatron Corp. Chairman Tung Tzu-hsien (童子賢), who was reportedly once approached by President Lai Ching-te to head his Cabinet.
The Democratic Progressive Party has long championed phasing out nuclear power and expanding green energy as part of its nuclear-free homeland policy, but critics warn the approach could trigger power shortages and drive up electricity costs. Even if voters approve the referendum, the aging plant would still undergo comprehensive safety checks, public hearings and licensing reviews before any potential restart. The process reflects Taiwan's cautious approach to nuclear energy amid competing priorities of energy security and environmental concerns.
State utility Taipower says the restart process could take months or even years, as the government insists it will maintain its nuclear-free energy policy. The vote reflects mounting concerns about Taiwan's energy transition effectiveness and cost-efficiency amid rising electricity demands. The Taiwan People's Party proposed the referendum in April in the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, and the bill passed in May with backing from the main opposition Kuomintang (國民黨).
The referendum coincides with a second wave of recall votes targeting seven Kuomintang district legislators across multiple counties: one in New Taipei, three in Taichung, one in Hsinchu County, and two in Nantou County. None face serious risk of losing their seats. These recall efforts follow a landslide failure in late July, when civic groups and the Democratic Progressive Party attempted to recall 24 Kuomintang lawmakers and suspend Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an (高虹安), a former Taiwan People's Party member. ◼