TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Environmental groups urged caution Thursday (Dec. 11) regarding Taiwan's plans to submit a nuclear plant reactivation proposal to the Nuclear Safety Commission (核安會) in March 2026. The groups emphasized the need to address safety concerns and nuclear waste disposal before proceeding with any applications. Public apprehension about nuclear energy's risks remains high across Taiwan.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部) has approved Taiwan Power Company's (台電) independent safety inspections for two nuclear power plants, the Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant (核二) and the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (核三). Officials estimate that, if all conditions are met, the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant could restart as early as 2028. The timeline faces opposition from environmental advocates and some lawmakers, who stress the importance of prioritizing safety over expediency.
Several environmental organizations united under the National Nuclear Abolition Action Platform (全國廢核行動平台), joining Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) legislators Fan Yun (范雲) and Ariel Chang (張雅琳) in a press conference Thursday. Tsui Su-hsin (崔愫欣), secretary-general of the Green Citizens' Action Alliance (綠色公民行動聯盟), criticized what she called a hasty legislative process in May regarding amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act (核子反應器設施管制法). The amendments extended nuclear plant operations to 60 years without additional supporting measures.
Chang emphasized that nuclear safety reviews should not adhere to a strict timeline. She stated that public safety concerns must be the primary consideration in the review process, with the Nuclear Safety Commission serving as the final safeguard for public safety. Fan urged the commission to incorporate international experience and include measures to address extreme natural disasters in their evaluations. Both legislators stressed the importance of comprehensive safety assessments.